Indoor unit for air conditioner

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an indoor unit for an air conditioner. The indoor unit for the air conditioner according to the present invention includes: a cabinet assembly forming an external appearance of the indoor unit and having an air suction port formed in a rear of the cabinet assembly; a filter module disposed at the air suction port to filter dust contained in air being introduced through the air suction port; a filter cleaner configured to move upward and downward in a rear of the filter module to remove foreign substances stuck in the filter module; a guide rail vertically disposed on one side of the filter module and configured to guide upward and downward movement of the filter cleaner, wherein the filter cleaner comprises: a mobile gear configured to rotate while engaged with the guide rail to move the filter cleaner upward and downward with respect to the filter module, a gear motor configured to rotate the mobile gear, an agitator configured to rotate in friction with the filter module, a dust container disposed downward of the agitator and collecting foreign substances separated from the filter module due to the rotation of the agitator, and a guide roller bringing the filter cleaner into close contact with the filter module so that part of the agitator rotates while in contact with the filter module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2018-0026970, filed on Mar. 7, 2018 and10-2019-0017451, filed on Feb. 14, 2019 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an indoor unit for an air conditionerand, more particularly, to an indoor unit for an air conditioner, whichincludes a filter cleaner to clean a filter.

2. Description of the Related Art

An indoor unit for an air conditioner may adjust required indoortemperature by discharging air heat-exchanged with a refrigerant to anindoor space. The indoor unit for the air conditioner suctions indoorair through an air suction port, make the suctioned air to exchange heatwith a refrigerant, and discharge the heat-exchanged air to an airdischarge port.

In indoor unit for the air conditioner may be divided into aceiling-mounted type, a wall-mounted type, and a standalone type. In astandalone indoor unit, an outlet may be formed at the front or eitherside of a cabinet, and an air suction port may be formed in the rear ofthe cabinet.

Since the stand-alone indoor unit is disposed with an outlet facing anindoor space, an outlet disposed in the rear of cabinet is disposed toface a wall surface or an edge of the indoor space. Therefore, even afilter disposed at the air suction port to filter foreign substances maybe disposed on a rear surface of the cabinet.

It is difficult to change an installation position of the stand-aloneindoor unit due to size or weight of the product or arrangement of arefrigerant tube. Thus, a user should replace or clean the filter fromthe back of the cabinet. This may cause inconvenience to the user due tolimitation in a space where the air suction unit is installed.

Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 103008289 discloses astandalone-type air conditioner having an air suction port formed in therear. At the air suction port formed in the rear of the indoor unit, afilter is disposed, and a filter cleaner is disposed in the rear of thefilter and capable of moving upward and downward with respect to thefilter and suctioning foreign substances from the filter.

However, in the above disclosure, the filter cleaner capable of movingin upward and downward directions cleans an area limited in a left andright direction. In a structure including the aforementioned filtercleaner, a filter is required to move in the left-right direction inorder to clean in the left-right direction. Therefore, theaforementioned related art discloses a structure in which arrangement ofa filter can be changed in the left and right direction.

In addition, in the structure where arrangement of the filter can bechanged in the left-right direction, as described above, the filter isrequired to deform in shape in order to move in a limited left-rightarea in the left-right direction. Therefore, the aforementioned relatedart discloses a structure in which the shape of the filter an bedeformed at left and right ends thereof.

Accordingly, in a structure in which arrangement or shape of a filter isnot changed, it is difficult to apply the above description. Inparticular, in a filter structure including a dust collecting device ora deodorization filter, arrangement and deformation of shape of thefilter is strictly limited, and thus, such a filter structure cannot beapplied to various filters, and, even in a structure in which aplurality of different filters are used together, it is difficult toapply the above description.

In addition, a filter cleaner according to the aforementioned relatedart discloses a feature of removing foreign substances stuck in a filterby employing a suctioning method. Since a filter is a device forchemically or physically filtering flowing foreign substances, foreignsubstances stuck in the filter may not be removed properly only by meansof airflow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The first object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unitfor an air conditioner which allows a filter disposed a fixed positionand having a fixed shape in rear of the indoor unit to be maintained ina clean condition. That is, it is to provide an indoor unit for an airconditioner which provides a separate filter cleaner for cleaning afilter, in addition to a user's cleaning of the filter, the filtercleaner which moves upward and downward with respect to the fixed filterto clean.

In order to separate foreign substances stuck in the filter and moveupward and downward with respect to the filter module positioned inupward and downward directions, a structure in which the filter cleaneris allowed to move with maintaining a predetermined distance from thefilter module is required. Besides, the more the elements is included inthe filter cleaner, the heavier the weight of the filter cleanerbecomes, and, in this case, upward and downward movement may requireburden. The second object of the present invention is to provide astructure in which a filter cleaner is enabled to move upward anddownward with maintaining a predetermined distance from a filterpositioned in upward and downward directions.

Since foreign substances stuck in the filter is foreign substances stuckin the course of being introduced into the filter, a physical force isrequired to separate the foreign substances stuck in gaps in the filterfrom the filter. In addition, foreign substances separated from thefilter may be introduced to the filter again, and thus, a procedure forremoving the re-introduced dust may be needed. The third object of thepresent invention is to addressing a problem relating to separating suchdust from a filter and removing the dust.

The fourth object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unitfor an air conditioner having a dust container disposed in a filtercleaner in rear of the indoor unit, wherein a user is allowed to insertor draw the dust container from a position in front of the indoor unit.

For the filter cleaner, a structure having a plurality of functions isrequired: the plurality of functions includes easily detaching a dustcontainer, and forming an air flow path to allow dust to flow into thedust container when the dust container is mounted to the filter cleaner.The fifth object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unitfor an air conditioner capable of performing the plurality of functionswith a simple structure.

Objects of the present invention are not limited to the aforementionedobjects, and other objects not mentioned in the above may be clearlycomprehended to those of skill in the art to which the embodimentpertains through the following description.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, an indoor unit for anair conditioner according to the present invention may include a suctionport in a rear thereof, a filter module disposed at the suction port, afilter cleaner moving upward and downward in rear of the filter module,and a guide rail guiding the upward and downward movement of the filtercleaner, so that the filter moving upward and downward may removeforeign substances stuck in the filter module.

In addition, the filter cleaner includes a mobile gear for movement, aguide roller, an agitator for cleaning, and a dust container. The dustcontainer is disposed below the agitator with a structure where foreignsubstances separated by the agitator can be contained, and the guideroller may bring the filter cleaner to enable cleaning the filter moduleby the agitator. Accordingly, the filter cleaner is able to move inclose contact with the filter module at a distance which allows removingthe dust from the filter module upon operation of the agitator.

The filter cleaner may further include a suction fan configured to formairflow so that the foreign substances separated from the filter moduledue to rotation of the agitator flows into the dust container, therebysending the foreign substances separated by the agitator to the dustcontainer.

The guide rail may include: a gear rail forming a thread to be engagedwith the mobile gear; and a roller rail disposed in rear of the gearrail and forming a rib structure to which the guide roller is mounted,and accordingly, the filter cleaner is capable of stably moving alongthe guide rail.

The gear rail is formed on both surfaces of the guide rail, and themobile gear includes a pair of mobile gear disposed to be respectivelyengaged with gear rails formed on the both side surfaces of the guiderail, and accordingly, the filter cleaner is capable of stably movingalong the guide rail.

The roller rail is formed in rear of the gear rail on both side surfacesof the guide rail, and the guide roller comprises at least one pair ofguide rollers to be respectively mounted to roller rails formed on theboth side surfaces of the guide rail, and accordingly, the filtercleaner is capable of moving in close contact with the filter module.

The guide roller further include: an upper guide roller mounted abovethe mobile gear to move along the guide rail, and bringing the filtercleaner into close contact with the filter module; and a lower guideroller mounted below the upper guide roller to move along the guiderail, and bringing the filter cleaner into close contact with the filtermodule, and accordingly, the filter cleaner is capable of stably movingalong the guide rail.

The filter cleaner includes: a base cover forming an external appearanceof the filter cleaner and disposed to face the filter module; and anouter cover forming the external appearance of the filter cleaner andcoupled to a rear of the base cover, and a guide rail groove is formedin the base cover in upward and downward directions to receive the guiderail.

The mobile gear is disposed on an inner surface of the base cover, anddisposed such that part of the mobile gear protrudes toward the guiderail groove through a mobile gear hole formed on one side of the guiderail groove, and accordingly, the filter cleaner is capable of stablymoving along the guide rail.

Each of the upper guide roller and the lower guide roller is disposed ina guide roller groove portion formed concave rearward on an outersurface of the base cover, and each of the upper guide roller and thelower guide roller is disposed such that part thereof protrudes towardthe guide rail groove, and accordingly, the filter cleaner is capable ofstably moving along the guide rail.

The upper guide roller and the lower guide roller are disposed rearwardof the mobile gear, and accordingly, the filter cleaner is capable ofstably moving along the guide rail.

A magnetic force generator for generating a magnetic force to limitupward movement of the filter cleaner is disposed in an upper portion ofthe guide rail, and the filter cleaner includes a hall sensor configuredto sense the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generator,and accordingly, upward movement of the filter cleaner may be limited.

A lower plate is provided in a lower portion of the guide rail to limitdownward movement of the filter cleaner, and the filter cleaner includesa lower detection sensor configured to sense contact with the lowerplate, and accordingly, downward movement of the filter cleaner may belimited.

The filter cleaner includes: an agitator groove forming a space wherethe agitator is rotatably disposed; and a communication hole formed onone side of the agitator groove to communicate with the dust container,and accordingly, foreign substances separated from the filter module bythe agitator may flow into the dust container.

A duster formed at a lower end of the communication hole in a directionof rotation of the agitator and contacting an end portion of theagitator is formed in the agitator groove, and accordingly, foreignsubstances stuck on the agitator may be separated and then flow to thedust container.

The filter cleaner further includes a connection housing connecting theagitator groove to the dust container.

The connection housing guides the dust container to be inserted anddrawn, and forms a space where the dust container is to be inserted.

The dust container includes a magnetic member for maintaining a state inwhich the dust container is mounted to the filter cleaner, so that thestate in which the dust container is mounted may be stably maintained.

A dust container fixing member subject to an attracting force from themagnetic member acts on is disposed is disposed in the connectionhousing at an end portion of the space where the dust container is to beinserted, and accordingly, the state in which the dust container ismounted may be stably maintained.

The dust container is inserted into a side surface of the filter cleanerand has a curved shape convex rearward so as to have a structure inwhich the dust container inserted into the filter cleaner disposed inthe rear thereof is drawn in a forward direction.

The dust container includes: a dust container body forming a space wheredust is contained; an upper cover disposed above the dust container bodyand having a dust container suction port formed therein; a lower coverdisposed below the dust container body and having a discharge portformed therein; a dust container filter disposed within the lower cover,and filtering dust contained in air discharged through the dischargeport; and a dust container filer mount having the dust container filtermounted therein, and accommodated within the lower cover.

The filter cleaner further includes a side brush part disposed on oneside of the agitator to be in contact with an end portion of the filtermodule, and accordingly, it is possible to remove foreign substanceseven from an outer end portion of the filter module.

Details of other embodiments are included in the following descriptionand the accompanying drawings.

According to an indoor unit for an air conditioner of the presentinvention, there are one or more effects as below.

According to the above solutions, first, the indoor unit of the presentinvention has a structure in which a filter cleaner moves upward anddownward with respect to a filter module positioned in upward anddownward directions and the filter cleaner removes foreign substancesstuck in the filter module as an agitator rotates in friction with thefilter module. As the foreign substances stuck in the filter module isseparated by the friction with the agitator, there is an advantage inthat the filter can be managed clean. In doing so, air with dust removedtherefrom is discharged through an air outlet, thereby maintaining anindoor space in a clean and pleasant condition.

Second, as the guide roller serving to bring the filter cleaner intoclose contact with the filter module is movably mounted to the guiderail, the filter cleaner is allowed to stably move in an up-downdirection of the filter and the agitator is allowed to maintain frictionwith the filter module, and thus, there is an advantage in that thefilter module may be maintained in a clean condition.

Third, foreign substances stuck in the filter may be separated by theagitator included in the filter cleaner and the separated foreignsubstances is suctioned by the suction fan toward a dust container, andthus, there is an advantage in that foreign substances stuck in thefilter may be cleaned effectively.

Fourth, as the dust container to be inserted into and drawn from thefilter cleaner has a shape convex rearward and a dust containerreceiving hole, through which the dust container is received, is formedon a side surface of the filter cleaner, the dust container may be drawnin a forward direction, and thus, there is an advantage in that a useris allowed to easily insert or draw the dust container of the filtercleaner disposed in rear of the indoor unit from a position in front ofthe indoor unit.

Fifth, the connection housing coupled to the inside of the base coverforms a space to receive the dust container, a flow path toward the dustcontainer, and a structure connected to the suction fan. This is asimple structure and there is an advantage in that a stable fixedstructure of the dust container and a structure to allow dust to besmoothly introduced into the dust container may be formed.

Effects of the present invention may not be limited to the above andother objects and other objects which are not described may be clearlycomprehended to those of skill in the art to which the embodimentpertains through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thefollowing drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an indoor unit according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an indoor unit according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an indoor unit according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a cabinet assembly and a doorassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of an indoor unit with a filtercleaner removed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a movement guider according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view cut along line Y1-Y1′ in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a filter cleaner according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of a filter cleaner according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a filter cleaner according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a filter cleaner according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a filter cleaner according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a filter cleaner according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a rear view with an outer cover and a dust container removedin FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a rear view with a connection housing removed in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a downward view of a base cover and a connection housingcoupled thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a base cover and a connectionhousing coupled thereto according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of a connection housing according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of a connection housing according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a dust container according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a dust container according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of a dust container according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a rear view of a dust container according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a dust container according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a dust container body and a lower coverseparated from each other according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 26 is a side perspective view different from FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a rear view for explanation of coupling between a dustcontainer body and a connection housing according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 28 is a perspective cross-sectional view cut along X1-X1′ in FIG.12.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view cut along line X2-X2′ in FIG. 12.

FIG. 30 is a diagram for explanation of a base unit and a power supplydevice disposed inside and outside the base unit according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a diagram for explanation of a state in which a filtercleaner moves along a guide rail according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a control relationship between majorcomponents of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of internal elements of acontroller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing a control relationship between majorcomponents of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 35 is an internal block diagram of a cleaning module according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a diagram for explanation of how to control a moving speed bya guide rail when a filter cleaner moves in an upward direction and adownward direction of the guide rail.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an operation method of an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an operation method of an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Advantages and features of the present invention and a method ofachieving the same will be clearly understood from embodiments describedbelow in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However,the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments andmay be implemented in various different forms. The embodiments areprovided merely for complete disclosure of the present invention and tofully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill inthe art to which the present invention pertains. The present inventionis defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the presentspecification, like numbers refer to like elements.

In the following description, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are usedonly to avoid confusion between components, and do not indicate thesequence or importance of the components. The directions of “upward(U)”, “downward (D)”, “leftward (Le)”, “rightward (Ri)”, “forward (F)”,and “rearward (R)” in drawings are used for convenience of explanationbut do not limit the scope of the present invention. Thus, theaforementioned directions may be differently defined.

Hereinafter, an indoor unit for an air conditioner according toembodiments of the present invention will be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, all assembly structures of an airconditioner according to an embodiment will be described schematically,and each assembly structure will be described schematically.

<Overall Configuration>

An indoor unit for an air conditioner according to an embodiment mayinclude a cabinet assembly I forming an external appearance of theindoor unit and having an open front surface, a door assembly IIcovering the open front surface of the cabinet assembly I, a blowerassembly III disposed within the cabinet assembly I to generate airflow;a heat exchange assembly IV exchanging heat of air flowing by the blowerassembly III with a refrigerant, a filter assembly VI filtering airintroduced into the cabinet assembly I, a filter cleaning assembly VIIremoving foreign substances existing on one side surface of the filterassembly VI, and a humidifying assembly V discharging humidified air tothe outside of the cabinet assembly I.

<Cabinet Assembly>

The cabinet assembly I according to the present embodiment may includean upper cabinet 11 forming an air suction port 111 in the rear thereofand having a space where a heat exchanger 41 is installed, a base unit12 disposed below the upper cabinet 11 and forming a space where someelements of the humidifying assembly V are disposed, a lower cabinet 13covering the rear side and lateral sides of the base unit 12, and a sidedischarge member 14 a and 14 b disposed between the upper cabinet 11 andthe door assembly II and forming a side discharge port 141 through whichair is discharged.

At a portion where the air suction port 111 is formed on the rearsurface of the upper cabinet 11, the filter assembly VI is mounted. Onthe open front surface of the upper cabinet 11, the door assembly II isdisposed. The upper cabinet 11 is disposed above the lower cabinet 13.The upper cabinet 11 is disposed above the base unit 12. The uppercabinet 11 is disposed behind the door assembly II.

The upper cabinet 11 may form a space where the heat exchanger 41, afront blowing module 31, and lateral blowing modules 32 a, 32 b, and 32c are disposed. Within the upper cabinet 11, a heat exchanger mountingmember (not shown) to which the heat exchanger 41 is mounted, a frontblowing module mounting member (not shown) to which the front blowingmodule 31 is mounted, and a lateral blowing module mounting member (notshown) to which the lateral blowing modules 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c aremounted may be disposed.

The filter assembly VI may be disposed in the rear of the upper cabinet11. The filter assembly VI includes a plurality of filter modules 62 a,62 b, 62 c, and 62 d that is disposed in the rear of the upper cabinet11 in leftward and rightward directions.

A guide rail 711 guiding movement of the filter cleaner 72 is disposedbetween the plurality of filter modules 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d thatis disposed in the rear of the upper cabinet 11 in the in the leftwardand rightward directions. The guide rail 711 guiding movement of thefilter cleaner 72 may be disposed in the rear of the upper cabinet 11.The guide rail 711 is disposed to protrude rearward from the middle ofthe plural filter modules 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d that is disposed inthe rear of the upper cabinet 11 in thein the leftward and rightwarddirections.

At a portion in the rear of the upper cabinet 11, where the guide rail711 is mounted, an ionizing part (not shown) may be disposed. Theionizing part may receive a high voltage and ionize air flowing towardthe air suction port 111 by electric discharge.

The upper cabinet 11 is disposed in the rear of the side dischargemember 14 a and 14 b. The upper cabinet 11 is disposed above the baseunit 12.

The base unit 12 is disposed below the upper cabinet 11. The base unit12 forms a space where elements of the humidifying assembly V, such as awater tank 51, a heating unit 52, etc., are disposed. A power supplydevice 73 wound around by a power line 731 connected to the filtercleaning assembly VII may be disposed within the base unit 12.

The base unit 12 may take a box shape having an open front surface. Thelower cabinet 13 and part of the side discharge members 14 a and 14 bmay be disposed on an outer circumference of the base unit 12. A powerline through-hole 133 which is penetrated by the power line 731connected to the filter cleaning assembly VII, and a humidifying tubethrough hole (hot shown) which is penetrated by a humidifying tube 54the humidifying assembly V may be formed in the base unit 12. The doorassembly II may be disposed on the front surface of the base unit 12.The upper cabinet 11 may be mounted above the base unit 12. On the upperside of the base unit 12, an additional support member 121 forsupporting a structure disposed above the base unit 12 may be furthermounted.

In the rear of the base unit 12, a power line cover tube hole 122penetrated by a power line cover tube 733 may be formed.

While the base unit 12 and the upper cabinet 11 disposed in upward anddownward directions are coupled to each other, the door assembly II isdisposed on the front surfaces of the base unit 12 and the upper cabinet11.

The lower cabinet 13 may cover the lateral surfaces and the rear surfaceof the base unit 12. Since the lower cabinet 13 is disposed external tothe base unit 12, the lower cabinet 13 is capable of reinforcingstrengthens of the base unit 12. The guide rail 711 guiding movement ofthe filter cleaner 72 of the filter cleaning assembly VII, a lower plate7131 limiting downward movement of the filter cleaner 72, and a rearwardprotruding cover 131 having a power line hole 1312, through which thepower line 731 connected to the filter cleaner 72 is exposed from theinside of the base unit 12 to the outside, may be disposed On the rearsurface of the lower cabinet 13. The lower plate 7131 is disposed abovethe rearward protruding cover 131.

The guide rail 711 and the lower plate 7131 may be configured separatelyfrom the lower cabinet 13. The rearward protruding cover 131 protrudesfrom the rear of the lower cabinet 13, and the power line hole 1312 isformed on the upper side of the rearward protruding cover 131. The powerline hole 1312 is formed at a position corresponding to a lower plategroove 7131 a formed in the lower plate 7131 and a guide groove 7113formed in the guide rail 711. That is, the power line hole 1312, thelower plate groove 7131 a, and the guide groove 7113 may be disposed atpositions corresponding thereto in upward and downward directions, sothat the power line 731 is capable of stably continuing.

Some elements of the power line cover tube 733 which will be describedbelow may be disposed inside the rearward protruding cover 131, thepower line cover tube 733 which minimizes friction with an externalconfiguration due to movement of the power line 731 disposed within thebase unit 12.

A distance from a top surface 1311 of the rearward protruding cover 131to an upper end 13 a of the lower cabinet 13 may be greater than adistance D2 by which the filter cleaner 72 of the filter cleaningassembly VII described below is formed in upward and downwarddirections.

A refrigerant hole 132 penetrated by a refrigerant tube (not shown) ofthe heat exchange assembly IV may be formed on the rear surface of thelower cabinet 13. The power line hole 1312 penetrated by a power line,which supplying power from an external power source, may be formed onthe rear surface of the lower cabinet 13.

The side discharge members 14 a and 14 b may be disposed between theupper cabinet 11 and the door assembly II. The side discharge member 14a and 14 b may be disposed between the lower cabinet 13 and the doorassembly II. The side discharge members 14 a and 14 b may cover part ofside surfaces of the indoor unit for the air conditioner.

The side discharge port 141 for discharging air flowing by the lateralblowing modules 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c described below may be formed onboth side surfaces of the side discharge members 14 a and 14 b. Aplurality of vanes 142 guiding a direction of air to be discharged maybe disposed at the side discharge port 141. The plurality of vanes maybe integrally formed with the side discharge members 14 a and 14 b. Theplurality of vanes according to the present embodiment may be inclinedin a forward direction, enabled to guide air discharged to the outsideof the cabinet to flow in the forward direction.

<Door Assembly>

The door assembly II includes a door plate 21 covering the front surfaceof the indoor unit and having a front discharge port 22 at one side, adoor moving member (not shown) moving the door plate 21 in leftward andrightward directions, a discharge port cover 23 opening and closing thefront air discharge port 22 formed in the door plate 21, and a covermoving member (not shown) moving the front discharge port cover 23 inupward and downward directions.

The door moving member according to the present embodiment is capable ofmoving the door plate 21 in the in the leftward and rightward directionsin the front of the cabinet assembly I. The cover moving memberaccording to the present embodiment may move the discharge port cover 23to open or close the front discharge port 22 by moving the dischargeport cover 23. The cover moving member may move the discharge port cover23 in a direction downward of the front discharge port 22. When thefront discharge port 22 is opened by the movement of the discharge portcover 23, the front blowing module 31 described below may be exposed toan outside. The front blowing module 31 may move in a forward-backwarddirection of the front discharge port 22 which is open.

The door assembly II may further include a display unit displaying anoperation state of the indoor unit or receiving a user's command, and acamera sensor 25 sensing a condition of an indoor space. Here, thecondition of the indoor space may include a size of the indoor space,the number of people existing in the indoor space, and a position of aperson in the indoor space.

The display unit 24 according to the present embodiment may be disposedbelow the front discharge port 22. The camera sensor 25 according to thepresent embodiment may be disposed above the door plate 21.

<Blower Assembly>

A blower assembly III includes a front blowing module 31 discharging airin a direction forward of the indoor unit, and lateral blowing modules32 a, 32 b, or 32 c discharging air in directions from both sidesurfaces of the indoor unit. The blowing assembly III according to thepresent embodiment may include one front blowing module 31 and threelateral blowing modules 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c. The front blowing module31 and the lateral blowing modules 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c are disposed infront of the heat exchange assembly IV.

The front blowing module 31 is disposed above the lateral blowingmodules 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c. The front blowing module 31 discharges airtoward a front discharge port 22 that is formed in a door plate 21.

The front blowing module 31 according to the present embodiment may beconfigured such that a direction which the discharge port faces iscapable of rotating upward, downward, leftward, rightward, ordiagonally. Thus, while the discharge port of the front blowing module31 is disposed forward of the front discharge port 22, the front blowingmodule 31 may adjust an air discharging direction in a manner in whichan air discharging portion rotates upward, downward, leftward,rightward, or diagonally.

The front blowing module 31 may include a front blowing fan 311, a frontblowing motor 312, and a front blowing fan housing 313. The frontblowing module 31 according to the present embodiment is a structure ofthe front blowing fan 311 and the front blowing housing 313, and airdischarged therefrom may reach a far distance forward.

The lateral blowing modules 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c are disposed below thefront blowing module 31. The lateral blowing modules 32 a, 32 b, and 32c according to the present embodiment may be provided in plural inupward and downward directions. Each of the lateral blowing modules 32a, 32 b, and 32 c may discharge air through a side discharge port 141.

The lateral blowing module 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c may be disposed in frontof the heat exchanger 41, and discharge heat-exchanged air toward theside discharge port 141. Air flowing by the lateral blowing module 32 a,32 b, and 32 c may flow along the vanes 142 disposed in the sidedischarge port 141.

<Heat Exchange Assembly>

A heat exchange assembly IV exchanges heat of indoor air, suctioned intoan upper cabinet 11, with a refrigerant. The heat exchange assembly IVmay include a heat exchanger 41 in which the refrigerant to exchangeheat with the indoor air flows, and a refrigerant tube (not shown)forming a refrigerant flow path along which the refrigerant isintroduced into or exhausted from the heat exchanger 41.

The refrigerant tube may include a refrigerant inflow tube (not shown)in which a refrigerant introduced into the heat exchanger 41 flows, anda refrigerant exhaust tube (not shown) in which a refrigerant exhaustedfrom the heat exchanger 41 flows.

The heat exchanger 41 is disposed in rear of a blower assembly III. Theheat exchange 41 may be disposed between an air suction port 111 and anair discharge port 22 or 141 to allowing air flowing in the indoor unitto be heat-exchanged. The heat exchanger 41 is disposed between a filterassembly VI and the blower assembly III. The heat exchanger 41 may havea length corresponding to a height by which the plurality of lateralblowing modules 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c and the front blowing module 31 aredisposed in upward and downward directions.

The heat exchanger 41 may be disposed within the upper cabinet 11. Theheat exchanger 41 may be coupled to a heat exchange coupler formed inthe upper cabinet 11.

<Humidifying Assembly>

A humidifying assembly V may discharge humidified air to the outside ofthe indoor unit. The humidifying assembly V may include a water tank 51containing water, a heating unit 52 receiving the water from the watertank 51 and heating the water, a humidifying discharge nozzle 53 inwhich a humidifying discharge port (not shown) for discharging heatedhumidified air is formed, and a humidifying flow path (not shown)guiding humidified air, heated by the heating unit 52, toward thehumidifying discharge nozzle 53.

The water tank 51 and the heating unit 52 may be disposed in an innerspace of the base unit 12. The humidifying discharge nozzle 53, which isformed at an end portion of the humidifying flow tube 54, may bedisposed at a portion at which a side discharge port 141 is formed.

Thus, humidified air discharged along the humidifying discharge nozzle53 may be discharged to the outside of the indoor unit by lateralblowing modules 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c together with air flowing towardthe side discharge port 141.

The humidifying flow path 52 may allow humid air, heated by the heatingunit 52 disposed within the base unit 12, to flow toward the humidifyingdischarge nozzle 53. The humidifying flow path 54 may connect theheating unit 52, which is disposed within the base unit 12, and thehumidifying discharge nozzle 53, which is formed at the side dischargeport 141 at a height at which the upper cabinet 11 is positioned.

<Filter Assembly>

A filter assembly VI removes foreign substances from air introduced intoan air suction port 111. The filter assembly VI is movably disposed inrear of an upper cabinet 11. The filter assembly VI may be disposed atthe air suction port 111 formed in the rear of the upper cabinet 11 andfilter indoor air flowing through the air suction port 111. The filterassembly VI is disposed movably with respect to the upper cabinet 11.

Referring to FIG. 2, the filter assembly VI according to the presentembodiment includes a filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d forremoving foreign substances from air suctioned into the air suction port111. In the filter assembly VI, the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, 62 dmay be disposed on the air suction port 111 or disposed external to aside surface of the upper cabinet 11.

The filter assembly VI according to the present embodiment may includethe filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d for removing foreignsubstances from airflow, a filter mounting member (not shown) to whichthe filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d is mounted, and a mobilemember (not shown) for changing a position of the filter mountingmember.

When disposed at the air suction port, the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62c, and 62 d may be inserted into or drawn from the filter mountingmember in a width direction of the filter module formed in a left andright direction.

The filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d according to the presentembodiment may change in position by the filter mounting member or themoving member. That is, the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d maychange from a first position, which indicates that the filter module isdisposed on the air suction port 111 in the rear of the upper cabinet11, into a second position, which indicates that the filter module isdisposed external to a side surface of the upper cabinet 11.

At the first position indicative of arrangement at the air suction port111, the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d may form a surfacewhich the filter cleaner 72 is capable of moving over.

When the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d is disposed externalto a side surface of the upper cabinet 11, the filter module is disposedwith the width direction facing forward, so that a user is allowed toeasily insert or draw the filter module from a front position.

The filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d according to the presentembodiment may include a first filter module 62 a and 62 b covering theleft side of the air suction port 111 of the upper cabinet 11, and asecond filter module 62 c and 62 d covering the right side of the airsuction port 111 of the upper cabinet 11.

The first filter module 62 a and 62 b may be disposed to cover the leftside of the air suction port 111 or disposed on the left side of theleft surface of the upper cabinet 11. The second filter module 62 c and62 d may be disposed to cover the right side of the air suction port 111or disposed on the right side of the right surface of the upper cabinet11.

When the first filter module 62 a and 62 b and the second filter module62 c and 62 d are all formed at the air suction port 111, a surfacewhich the filter cleaner 72 is capable of moving over is formed.

The filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d is disposed detachably withrespect to the filter mounting member. The filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62c, and 62 d may filter foreign substances from air introduced into theair suction port 111. The filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 daccording to the present embodiment may include a pre-filter by whichlarge-sized dust in the air introduced into the air suction port 111 isfiltered, a dust collecting filter (not shown) which collects airparticles ionized by the ionization part to filter air, and adeodorization filter (not shown) which removes odor from air.

The filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d according to the presentembodiment may have a pre-filter 621, and a filter case 622 to bemounted to the filter mounting member. In the filter case 622, aplurality of suction holes is formed in a direction in which thepre-filter 621 is mounted. On a surface where the pre-filter 621 ismounted, the filter case 622 may include a vertical rib 6221 and ahorizontal rib 6222.

The vertical rib 6221 and the horizontal rib 6222 may form a grid shape,and reinforce strength of the filter case 622. The pre-filter 621 mayhave a mesh form to filter large-sized dust from air introduced into thefilter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d.

A lower end portion 60 a of the filter assembly VI may be disposed abovethe lower cabinet 13. When the filter cleaner 72 of the filter cleaningassembly VII is disposed at the lowest position in a range in which thefilter cleaner 72 is allowed to move along the guide rail 711, the lowerend portion 60 a of the filter assembly VI is disposed above an upperend portion 72 a of the filter cleaner 72.

Here, the lower end portion 60 a of the filter assembly VI may refer toa portion that is disposed at a further lower position in the lower endportion of the filter mounting member 61 a and 61 b and the lower endportion of the filter module 62 b and 62 d disposed below. Therefore, asshown in FIG. 2, when disposed at the lowest position in the range inwhich the filter cleaner 72 is allowed to move along the guide rail 711,a position of a filter mounting member to which the filter module 62 a,62 b, 62 c, or 62 d is mounted may be changed.

<Filter Cleaning Assembly>

A filter cleaning assembly VII may move in upward and downwarddirections on the rear surface of a filter assembly VI, and removeforeign substances existing on the outside of the filter assembly VI.The filter cleaning assembly VII removes foreign substances stuck in apre-filter 621 of a filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c and 62 d.

The filter cleaning assembly VII includes a filter cleaner 72 moving onthe rear of the filter assembly VI and removing foreign substances stuckin the filter assembly VI, a movement guider 71 guiding movement of thefilter cleaner 72, and a power supply device 73 supplying power to thefilter cleaner 72.

<Filter Cleaning Assembly-Movement Guider>

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, a movement guide 71 of a filtercleaning assembly VII according to the present embodiment will bedescribed.

The movement guider 71 limits a movement range of a filter cleaner 72.The movement guider 71 guides movement of the filter cleaner 72 withinthe movement range of the filter cleaner 72. The movement guider 71 isdisposed in rear of a cabinet assembly I. The movement guider 71 isdisposed in rear of a upper cabinet 11 and a lower cabinet 13.

The movement guider 71 includes a guide rail 711 guiding movement of thefilter cleaner 72, an upward movement limiting part 712 limiting upwardmovement of the filter cleaner 72 moving along the guide rail 711, and adownward movement limiting part 713 limiting downward movement of thefilter cleaner 72 moving along the guide rail 711.

The guide rail 711 is disposed in rear of the upper cabinet 11 and thelower cabinet 13. The guide rail 711 is elongated in upward and downwarddirections in rear of the upper cabinet 11. The guide rail 711 isdisposed between a pair of filter assemblies VI that are disposed on theleft and right sides in rear of the upper cabinet 11. The guide rail 711may extend from the upper end of the upper cabinet 11 to the downwardmovement limiting part 713 disposed in the lower cabinet 13.

The guide rail 711 may include an upper guide rail 711 a disposed inrear of the upper cabinet 11 on which the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62c, and 62 d are disposed, and a lower guide rail 711 b disposed belowthe guide rail 711 a and inward of the lower cabinet 13.

The upper guide rail 711 a and the lower guide rail 711 b may formdifferent elements. However, this is merely an example, and the upperguide rail 711 a and the lower guide rail may be configured as oneconfiguration. In addition, the upper guide rail 711 a may be divided inplural.

The lower guide rail 711 b may be disposed in rear of the lower cabinet13, and a length of the lower guide rail 711 b may be longer than avertical length of the filter cleaner 72.

The guide rail 711 includes a gear rail 7111 a and 7111 b forming athread to be engaged with a mobile gear 725 a and 725 b of the filtercleaner 72, and a roller rail 7112 a and 7112 b along which a guideroller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2 of the filter cleaner 72moves. In addition, a guide groove 7113 in which a power line 731connected to the filter cleaner 72 is disposed is formed in the guiderail 711.

A front surface 711 a of the guide rail 711 facing the cabinet assemblyI is coupled to the cabinet assembly I. The guide groove 7113 is formedon a rear surface 711 b of the guide rail 711, which is disposedopposite to the front surface 711 a. The gear rail 7111 a and 7111 b andthe roller rail 7112 a and 7112 b are disposed on both side surfaces ofthe guide rail 711 which connect the front surface 711 a ad the rearsurface 711 b.

The gear rail 7111 a and 7111 b may take the shape of a rack gear. Inaddition, the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b to be engaged with the gearrail 7111 a and 7111 b may take the shape of a pinion gear. The gearrail 7111 a and 7111 b may be elongated in upward and downwarddirections at a portion at which the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and62 d is disposed. The gear rail 7111 a and 7111 b may be formed on bothside surfaces of the guide rail 711. The gear rail 7111 a and 7111 b isdisposed forward of the roller rail 7112 a and 7112 b.

The roller rail 7112 a and 7112 b may have a rib structure thatprotrudes in both lateral directions from a rear end of the guide rail711. The roller rail 7111 a and 7112 b is disposed rearward of the gearrail 7111 a and 7111 b. The roller rail 7112 a and 7112 b protrudes inthe both lateral directions by a height that is higher than the threadformed by the gear rail 7111 a and 7111 b.

A pair of gear rails 7111 a and 7111 b and a pair of roller rails 7112 band 7112 b are provided on both sides of the guide rail 711. The pair ofroller rails 7112 a and 7112 b is disposed rearward of the pair of gearrails 7111 a and 7111 b. The pair of roller rails 7112 a and 7112 bprotrudes in the both lateral directions further than the pair of gearrails 7111 a and 7111 b. Therefore, when the indoor unit according tothe present embodiment is viewed from the rear, the indoor unit may havea structure in which the gear rail 7111 a and 7111 b is hidden by theroller rail 7112 a and 7112 b.

The roller rail 7112 a and 7112 b is elongated in upward and downwarddirections at a portion at which the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and62 d are disposed. The roller rail 7112 a and 7112 b may be formed witha length identical to a length with which the gear rail 7111 a and 7111b is formed in the upward and downward directions.

The guide groove 7113 forms a space in which the power line 731connected to the filter cleaner 72 is disposed. The guide groove 7113 isformed on a rear surface 7111 b of the guide rail 711 to be concaveforward. The guide groove 7113 is elongated in the upward and downwarddirections of the guide rail 711. The guide groove 7113 is formed with athickness greater than a thickness of the power line 731.

The upward movement limiting part 712 may limit upward movement of thefilter cleaner 72. The upward movement limiting part 712 may include anmagnetic force generator 7121 generating a magnetic force. As themagnetic force generator 7121, a permanent magnet which generates amagnetic force may be used. The magnetic force generator 7121 may bespaced apart a predetermined distance downward from the upper end of theguide rail 711. The magnetic force generator 7121 may be disposed in theguide groove 7113 of the guide rail 711. The magnetic force generator7121 generates a magnetic force so that the a hall sensor 7212 of thefilter cleaner 72 senses the magnetic force.

The upward movement limiting part 712 includes an upper plate 7122disposed at an upper end of the guide rail 711 to limit upward movementof the filter cleaner 72. The upper plate 7122 may be disposed at theupper end of the guide rail 711 to come into contact with the upper endof the filter cleaner 72. The upper plate 7122 may form a surfacevertical to the guide rail 711 at the upper end of the guide rail 711,thereby limiting movement of the filter cleaner 72.

A gap H1 from the upper plate 7122 of the movement guider 71 to themagnetic force generator 7121 is longer than a gap H2 from the upper endof the filter cleaner 72 to the hall sensor 7212. Thus, when filtercleaner 72 moves upward, the upward movement may be limited by themagnetic force generator 7121 and the hall sensor 7212. However, upon anerror of the hall sensor 7212, movement of the filter cleaner 72 may belimited by the upper plate 7122.

The downward movement limiting part 713 includes a lower plate 7131disposed at a lower end of the guide rail 711 to limit downward movementof the filter cleaner 72. The lower plate 7131 may be disposed at thelower end of the guide rail 711 to come into contact with the bottom ofthe filter cleaner 72. The lower plate 7131 may come into contact with alower detection sensor 7210 of the filter cleaner 72.

The lower plate 7131 forms a surface vertical to the guide rail 711 atthe upper end of the guide rail 711. The lower plate 7131 is disposedabove the rearward protruding cover 131 that is formed in the lowercabinet 13.

The lower plate 7131 has a structure of protruding laterally furtherfrom both side surfaces of the guide rail 711. However, a lower plategroove 7131 a penetrated by the power line 731 in a direction downwardof the guide groove 7113 formed in the guide rail is formed in the lowerplate 7131. The lower plate groove 7131 a is formed downward of theguide groove 7113. The lower plate groove 7131 a connects the guidegroove 7113 and a power line hole 1312 formed on the upper side of therearward protruding cover 131 of the lower cabinet 13.

The guide rail 711 may be coupled to the rear of the cabinet assembly Iusing a separate coupling means. A coupling groove 7114 to be coupled tothe additional coupling means is formed I the guide rail 711. Thecoupling groove 7114 is formed forward of the guide groove 7113 that isformed in the rear of the guide rail 711. A plurality of couplinggrooves 7114 vertically spaced apart from one another may be formed inthe guide rail 711.

An electrode hole 7115 forming a space where an electrode (not shown)ionizing a particle in the air by discharging is disposed may be formedin the guide rail 711. The electrode hole 7115 is formed forward of theguide groove 7113 that is formed in the rear of the guide rail 711. Anelectrode may be disposed in the electrode hole 7115. The electrode maybe disposed not to protrude outward of the guide groove 7113. Theelectrode may protrude within a range in which the electrode does notdisturb the power line 731 disposed in the guide groove 7113.

<Filter Cleaning Assembly-Filter Cleaner>

Hereinafter, a filter cleaner according to the present embodiment willbe described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 29 and 31.

A filter cleaner 72 is movably disposed in rear of an upper cabinet 11.The filter cleaner 72 vertically moves along a guide rail 711, and iscapable of removing foreign substances stuck in a pre-filter 621 of afilter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 29, the filter cleaner 72 will be described withreference to the forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward, anddownward directions in a state in which the filter cleaner 72 isdisposed in rear of the upper cabinet 11 or a lower cabinet 13. Thus, ifthe discriminant state changes, the aforementioned directions may bedescribed differently. This is merely for convenience of explanation ofthe filter cleaner 72, and does not limit the scope of the presentinvention.

The filter cleaner 72 includes: a housing 721 and 722 forming anexternal appearance of the filter cleaner 72; a mobile gear 725 a and725 b rotatably mounted to the housing 721 and 722 and moving thehousing 721 and 722; a gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b disposed within thehousing 721 and 722 and rotating the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b; aguide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2 rotatably mounted tothe housing 721 and 722 and guiding movement of the housing 721 and 722;an agitator 723 a and 723 b rotatably mounted to one side of the housing721 and 722 and separating foreign substances stuck in the filter module62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d by rotation; an agitator motor 7233 rotatingthe agitator 723 a and 723 b; a dust container 727 in which foreignsubstances separated from the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 dbby rotation of the agitator 723 a and 723 b is contained; a connectionhousing 728 disposed within the housing 721 and 722 and forming a spacewhere to insert the dust container 727; a suction fan 729 suctioningforeign substances, separated from the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c,and 62 d by rotation of the agitator 723 a and 723 b, in a directiontoward the dust container 727; and a suction fan motor 7291 operatingthe suction fan 729.

The filter cleaner 72 may further include a suction fan connection tube7292 connecting the connection housing 728 and the suction fan 729.

The housing 721 and 722 defines an external appearance of the filtercleaner 72. The housing 721 and 722 includes a base cover 721 disposedto face the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d when mounted to themovement guider 71, and an external cover 722 disposed rearward of thebase cover 721 and coupled to the base cover 721 to form a space wherethe dust container 727 is disposed.

The base cover 721 may take a plate shape parallel to the filter module62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. When the filter cleaner 72 moves in rear ofthe filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d, a distance of the basecover 721 from the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d may beconstantly maintained.

A guide rail groove 7211, into which the guide rail 722 is inserted whenthe filter cleaner 72 is movably disposed in the guide rail 722, isformed in the base cover 721. The base cover 721 takes an overall plateshape, and may form a concave portion between a portion where the guiderail groove 7211 is formed and a portion where the agitator groove 7213a and 7213 b are formed. The guide rail groove 7211 may be formed at thecenter that divides the base cover 721 into the left and right sides. Inthe guide rail groove 7211, the guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1,and 726 b 2 mounted to the base cover 721 and part of the mobile gear725 a and 725 b may be exposed.

The guide rail groove 7211 is formed vertically to the base cover 721. Ahall sensor 7212 sensing a magnetic force of the magnetic forcegenerator 7121 disposed in the guide rail 711 is disposed in the guiderail groove 7211. When sensing the magnetic force of the magnetic forcegenerator 7121, the hall sensor 7212 may output a signal. When the hallsensor 7212 senses the magnetic force of the magnetic force generator7121, the filter cleaner 72 may stop moving.

The agitator groove 7213 a and 7213 b where the agitator 723 a and 723 bis disposed are formed in the base cover 721. A pair of agitator grooves7213 a and 7213 b is formed on the left and right sides of the guiderail groove 7211. A first agitator groove 7213 a is formed in the basecover 721 on the left side of the guide rail groove 7211, and a secondagitator groove 7213 b is formed in the base cover 721 on the right sideof the guide rail groove 7211.

Each of the agitator grooves 7213 a and 2713 b in pair forms a concavegroove rearward from the base cover 721. At a portion where the agitatorgrooves 7213 a and 7213 b are formed, the base cover 721 includes anagitator circumferential surface 72131 that forms a concave grooverearward from the base cover 721. At the portion where the agitatorgrooves 7213 a and 7213 b are formed, the base cover 721 includes theagitator circumferential surface 72131, which is formed to surround theouter circumference of the agitators 723 a and 723 b, and a mountingsurface 72134, to which the agitators 723 a and 723 b are rotatablymounted.

The agitator circumferential surface 72131 may take the shape of U whichis convex rearward. On one side of the agitator circumferential surface72131, a communication hole 72132 a or 72132 b is formed to communicatewith the dust container 727. The communication hole 72132 a or 72132 bis disposed in the leftward and rightward directions of the agitatorcircumferential surface 72131. The communication hole 72132 a or 72132 bis formed in a length direction of the agitator 723 a or 723 b, which isformed along a rotational axis of the agitators 723 a and 723 b. Thecommunication hole 72132 a and 72132 b is formed downward from theagitator circumferential surface 72131.

On one side of the agitator circumferential surface 72131, there may bedisposed a duster 72135 a or 72135 b that separates dust from blades7232 of the agitator 723 a or 723 b. The duster 72135 or 72135 b isdisposed on one side of the communication hole 72132 a and 72132 b onthe agitator circumferential surface 72131. The duster 72135 a or 72135b may be disposed in front of the communication hole 72132 a or 72132 bon the agitator circumferential surface 72131.

The duster 72135 a or 72135 b is disposed to be in friction with theblades 7232 of the agitator 723 a or 723 b when the agitator 723 a or723 b rotates. By use of the friction with the agitator 723 a or 723 b,the duster 72135 a or 72135 b may separate foreign substances from theagitator 723 a or 723 b.

The duster 72135 a or 72135 b is formed on the agitator circumferentialsurface 72131 to protrude in a direction in which the agitator 723 a or723 b is disposed. The duster 72135 a or 72135 b take the shape of sawteeth and is disposed in one side of the communication hole 72132 a or72132 b. The duster 72135 a or 72135 b may be formed with a lengthidentical to a length of the communication hole 72132 a or 72132 b. Theduster 72135 a or 72135 b may be disposed at the rear end of thecommunication hole 72132 a or 72132 b with reference to a rotationaldirection of the agitator 723 a or 723 b.

The agitator grooves 7213 a and 7213 b in pair is formed in the upperportion of the base cover 721. The respective agitator grooves 7213 aand 7213 b in pair are disposed above the guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2,726 b 1, 726 b 2 and the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b.

The filter cleaner 72 further includes a pair of side brush parts 724 aand 724 b that is disposed on one side of the pair of agitator grooves7213 a and 7213 b to remove foreign substances stuck in the filtermodule 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, or 62 d. In the base cover 721, the pair ofside brush parts 724 a and 724 b is disposed on one side of the pair ofthe agitator grooves 7213 a and 7213 b. The pair of side brush parts 724a and 724 b may be disposed outside the agitator grooves 7213 a and 7213b. The pair of side brush parts 724 a and 724 b may separate foreignsubstances existing in an area in the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c,and 62 d, which is far from the guide rail 711.

The pair of side brush parts 724 a and 724 b may be divided into a firstside brush part 724 a disposed on one side of the first agitator groove7213 a, and a second side brush part 724 b disposed on one side of thesecond agitator groove 7213 b. The first side brush part 724 a isdisposed on the left side of the first agitator groove 7213 a disposedon the left side of the guide rail groove 7211, and the second sidebrush part 724 b is disposed on the right side of the second agitatorgroove 7213 b disposed on the right side of the guide rail groove 7211.A length by which each of the first side brush part 724 a and the secondside brush part 724 b may be equal to or smaller than a length formed bythe first agitator groove 7213 a and the second agitator groove 7213 bin upward and downward directions. A plurality of brushes 7241 may bedisposed vertically within a range of length equal to or smaller thanthe length vertically formed by the first agitator groove 7213 a and thesecond agitator groove 7213 b.

In the base cover 721, the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b for moving thefilter cleaner 72, and the guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and726 b 2 for bringing the filter cleaner 72 into contact with the filtermodule 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d are disposed. The mobile gear 725 aand 725 b may rotatably mounted to an inner surface of the base cover721 facing an external cover 722. The guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726b 1, and 726 b 2 may be rotatably mounted to an external side surface ofthe base cover 721 facing the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d.The mobile gear 725 a and 725 b is disposed forward of the guide roller726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2. The mobile gear 725 a and 725 bis disposed more adjacent to the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62d than the guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2. In thebase cover 721, a guide roller groove portion 7214 concavely curvedrearward may be formed at a position where the guide roller 726 a 1, 726a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2 is disposed.

In the base cover 721, there is disposed a pair of mobile gears 725 aand 725 b to be engaged with a pair of gear rails 7111 a and 7111 bformed on both side surfaces of the guide rail 711. The pair of mobilegears 724 a and 725 b respectively disposed on the left and right sidesof the guide rail groove 7211 is disposed such that part thereofprotrudes from the guide rail groove 7211. Accordingly, a mobile gearhole 7211 a penetrated by part of the mobile gears 725 a and 725 b isformed in the guide rail groove 7211 of the base cover 721.

In the base cover 721, there is disposed the plurality of guide rollers726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2 that respectively comes intocontact with the pair of roller rails 7112 a and 7112 b formed on bothside surfaces of the guide rail 711. One pair in the plurality of guiderollers 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2 may be disposed above themobile gear 725 a and 725 b, and the other pair may be disposed belowthe mobile gear 725 a and 725 b.

The filter cleaner 72 includes an auxiliary roller 7215 a and 7215 bthat comes into contact with the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62d to assist upward and downward movement of the filter cleaner 72. Inthe base cover 721, there is disposed the auxiliary roller 7215 a and7215 b that rotates while in contact with the filter module 62 a, 62 b,62 c, and 62 d. The auxiliary roller 7215 a and 7215 b is disposedrotatable with respect to the base cover 721. The auxiliary roller 7215a and 7215 b is disposed to rotate about an rotational axis that isparallel to a surface formed by the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and62 d.

The auxiliary roller 7125 a and 7125 b includes a first auxiliary roller7125 a or 7125 b rotating while in contact with the filter module 62 a,62 b, 62 c, or 62 d disposed on the left side of the upper cabinet 11,and a second auxiliary roller 7125 a or 7125 b rotating in contact withthe filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, or 62 d disposed on the right sideof the upper cabinet 11. The first auxiliary roller 7125 a or 7125 b andthe second auxiliary roller 7125 a or 7125 b may be respectively spacedan equal distance apart from the guide rail groove 7211 in the left andright direction. The first auxiliary roller 7125 a or 7125 b and thesecond auxiliary roller 7125 a or 7125 b may move along a vertical rib6221 of the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d that is disposed onthe left and right sides in the rear of the upper cabinet 11.

In the base cover 721, there is disposed a power line fixing part 7217that fixes the power line 731 supplying power to the filter cleaner 72.A power supply terminal groove 7216 a, in which a power supply terminal7216 connected to the power line 731 is disposed, is formed in the basecover 721, and the power line fixing part 7217, which fixies arrangementof the power line connected to the power supply terminal 7216, isdisposed in the base cover 721.

The power line fixing part 7217 prevents that the power line 731connected to the filter cleaner 72 moving along the guide rail 711 isbrought into contact with or intervenes with the guide rail 711 and thefilter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. At a portion facing the filtermodule 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d or the guide rail 711, the power linefixing part 7217 fixes the power line 731 in a direction inward of thebase cover 721. The power line fixing part 7217 fixes the power line 731such that the power line 731 is disposed along the inside of the guidegroove 7113.

The power line fixing part 7217 includes: a filter-side fixing portion72171 and 72172 for preventing the power line 731 from protruding towardthe filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d; a rail-side fixing portion72173 for preventing the power line 731 from protruding toward the guiderail 711; and a guide groove fixing portion 72174 for stably fixing thepower line 731 within the guide groove 711 of the guide rail 711.

The filter-side fixing portion 72171 and 72172 includes: a filter-sidefixing groove 72171 extending from the power supply terminal groove 7216a toward the guide rail groove 7211 and forming a space where the powerline 731 is disposed; and a filter-side fixing protrusion 72172 fixingthe power line 731 disposed in the filter-side fixing groove 72171. Thefilter-side fixing groove 72171 may horizontally extend from the powersupply terminal groove 7216 a toward the guide grail groove 7211. Thefilter-side fixing groove 72171 is formed on a surface that opposes thefilter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. The filter-side fixingprotrusion 72172 protrudes at the front end of the filter-side fixinggroove 72171.

The rail-side fixing portion 72173 includes: a rail-side fixing groove72173 a and 72173 b formed on one side surface of the guide rail groove7211 to form a space where the power line 731 is disposed; and arail-side fixing protrusion 72173 c fixing the power line 731 disposedin the rail-side fixing groove 72173 a and 72173 b.

The rail-side fixing groove 72173 a and 72173 b includes: a verticalfixing groove 72173 a connected to the filter-side fixing portion 72171and 72172 and fixing the power line 731 at a portion that opposes thegear rail 7111 a and 7111 b and the roller rail 7112 a and 7112 b formedon side surfaces of the guide rail 711; and a horizontal fixing groove72173 b connected to the vertical fixing groove 72173 a and fixing thepower line 731 at a portion that opposes a rear surface of the guiderail 711 where the guide groove 7113 is formed.

The vertical fixing groove 72173 a is formed vertical to the filter-sidefixing groove 72171, and forms a groove in the guide rail groove 7211,opposing a side surface of the guide rail 711, in a direction in whichthe guide rail 711 is disposed. The rail-side fixing protrusion 72173 cformed in the vertical fixing groove 72173 a protrudes at an end portionof the vertical fixing groove 72173 a so as to prevent the power line731 from deviating from the vertical fixing groove 72173 a.

The horizontal fixing groove 72173 b may be formed vertical to thevertical fixing groove 72173 a and parallel to the filter-side fixinggroove 72171 so as to form a space where the power line 731 is disposed.

The rail-side fixing portion 72173 prevents that the gear rail 7111 aand 7111 b and the roller rail 7112 a and 7112 b formed on both sidesurfaces of the guide rail 711 come into contact with the power line731. The rail-side fixing groove 72173 a and the 72173 b forms a grooveinward of one side surface of the guide rail groove 7211. On one sidesurface and the rear surface of the guide rail groove 7211, the guiderail groove 7211 forms a groove in a direction distal from the guiderail 711. The rail-side fixing protrusion 72173 c prevents that thepower line 731 disposed along the rail-side fixing groove 72173 a and72173 b protrudes outward.

The guide groove fixing part 72174 fixes the power line 731, protrudingfrom the rail-side fixing groove 72173 b toward the guide groove 7113(in a forward direction), to extend downward from the guide groove 7113.

The guide groove fixing portion 72174 fixes the power line 731, disposedin the guide groove 7113, to extend downward. The guide groove fixingportion 72174 is formed on the rear surface of the guide rail groove7211 to protrude toward the guide groove 7113 of the guide groove fixingportion 72174. The guide groove fixing portion 72174 is disposed abovethe power line hole 1312 formed in the rearward protruding cover 131.

When the filter cleaner 72 moves upward and downward along the guiderail 711, the guide groove fixing portion 72174 is disposed above thepower line hole 1312 formed in the rearward protruding cover 131. Thus,although the filter cleaner 72 moves upward and downward along the guiderail 711, the power line 731 may be disposed inside the guide groove7113.

The guide groove fixing portion 72174 may horizontally fix the powerline 731, and a plurality of protrusions fixing the power line 731 toextends downward may be formed in the guide groove fixing portion 72174.The guide groove fixing portion 72174 may fix the power line 731, whichis received in the guide rail groove 7211, using the rail-side fixingportion 72173 in a direction where the guide groove 7113 extends.

Thus, the power line 731 connected to the filter cleaner 72 may bedisposed in the guide groove 7113 of the guide rail 711 so as not to behampered by the filter module, 61 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d and the guiderail 711 by the power line fixing portion 7217.

In the base cover 721, there is formed an under grove 7218 a and 7218 bthat alleviates vibration generated by the agitator 723 a and 723 b. Theunder groove 7218 a and 7218 b is formed under the pair of the agitatorgrooves 7213 a and 7213 b. The under groove 7218 a and 7218 b form aspace under the circumferential surface 72131 formed in the agitatorgroove 7213 a and 7213 b.

The under groove 7218 a and 7218 b may form a space under the pair ofthe agitator grooves 7213 a and 7213 b so that vibration, generated uponoperation of the agitator 723 a and 723 b, to be delivered to a lowerportion of the base cover 721 may be reduced.

The external cover 722 is disposed in rear of the base cover 721. Theexternal cover 722 may be coupled to the base cover 721 to have a shapeconvex rearward, so that the filter cleaner 72 is allowed to bepositioned inside the shape.

The external cover 722 may include: a top surface 7221 covering the topof the filter cleaner 72; a bottom surface 7222 covering the bottom ofthe filter cleaner 72; and a circumferential surface 7223, 7224 a, and7224 b positioned between the top surface 7221 and the bottom surface7222 to form a convex curved surface. The circumferential surface 7223,7224 a, and 7224 b may include: a rear surface disposed rearward andforming a curved surface; and both side surfaces 7224 a and 7224 b bentat both ends of the rear surface 7223 to extend forward.

The top surface 7221 of the external cover 722 covers the top of theagitator circumferential surface 7223, 7224 a, and 7224 b on which theagitators 723 a and 723 b are disposed. On the top surface 7221 of theexternal cover 722, there is formed an upper groove 7221 a for receivingthe guide rail 711. The upper groove 7221 a may be formed above theguide rail groove 7211, and may have the same cross section as that ofthe guide rail groove 7211.

A dust container receiving hole 7225 into which the dust container 727is inserted is formed on the circumferential surface 7223, 7224 a, and7224 b of the external cover 722. The dust container 7225 may be formedon one side of the external cover 722. The dust container receiving hole7225 may have a left or right open surface on the circumferentialsurface of the external cover 722 to make a dust container to be easilyinserted or drawn.

The dust container receiving hole 7225 may be formed on one surface outof the both side surfaces 7224 a and 7224 b of the circumferentialsurface 7223, 7224 a, and 7224 b. The dust container receiving hole 7225is formed on a left side surface 7224 a out of the both side surfaces7224 a and 7224 b. However, this is merely an example, and the dustcontainer receiving hole 7225 may be formed on a right side surface 7224b out of the both side surfaces 7224 a and 7224 b.

On the bottom surface 7222 of the external cover 722, there is formed acover exhaust port 7222 b through which air flowing in the filtercleaner 72 upon operation of the suction fan 729 is exhausted. On thebottom surface 7222 of the external cover 722, there is formed a lowergroove 7222 a for receiving the guide rail 711. The lower groove 7222 amay be formed below the guide rail groove 7211 and formed with a crosssection greater than a cross-section of the guide rail groove 7211.

The filter cleaner 72 may include a lower detection sensor 7210 thatdetects contact with the lower plate 7131 disposed below the movementguider 71. The lower detection sensor 7210 is disposed at a lower endportion of the filter cleaner 72. The lower detection sensor 7210includes a detection lever 72101 that detects impact caused by a changein position. The detection lever 72101 of the lower detection sensor7210 protrudes downward of the filter cleaner 72. An end portion of thedetection lever 72101 is disposed in the lower groove 7222 a formed onthe bottom surface 7222 of the external cover 722. The end portion ofthe detection lever 72101 is disposed to be exposed through the lowergroove 7222 a. Accordingly, when the filter cleaner 72 moves downward,the end portion of the detection lever 72101 may first come into contactwith the lower plate 7131.

The mobile gear 725 a and 725 b is engaged with the gear rail 7111 a and7111 b of the guide rail 711. The mobile gear 725 a and 725 b may rotatewhile engaged with the gear rail 7111 a and 7111 b, and the filtercleaner 72 may be moved upward and downward by the rotation of themobile gear 725 a and 725 b. The mobile gear 725 a and 725 b may takethe shape of saw teeth having a thread formed on a circumferentialsurface. The mobile gear 725 a and 725 b may take the shape of a piniongear. The mobile gear 725 a and 725 b according to the presentembodiment may be implemented as a pair of mobile gears to be engagedwith the pair of the gear rails 7111 a and 7111 b formed on both sidesurfaces of the guide rail 711. The mobile gear 725 a and 725 b may bedivided into a first mobile gear 725 a disposed on the left side of theguide rail groove 7211, and a second mobile gear 725 b disposed on theright side of the guide rail groove 7211.

Each of the first mobile gear 725 a and the second mobile gear 725 b aredisposed rotatably with respect to an inner surface of the base cover721. Each of the first mobile gear 725 a and the second mobile gear 725b rotates along a rotational axis formed in a direction vertical to asurface formed by the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. Each ofthe first mobile gear 725 a and the second mobile gear 725 b may bespaced an equal distance apart from the guide rail groove 7211 in theleft and right directions.

Each of the first mobile gear 725 a and the second mobile gear 725 b maybe disposed such that part thereof is exposed through the mobile gearhole 7211 a formed in the guide rail groove 7211. The first mobile gear725 a and the second mobile gear 725 b may be disposed to berespectively engaged with the gear rails 7111 a and 7111 b formed onboth side surfaces of the guide rail 711.

The gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b is disposed within the housing 721 and722. The gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b are mounted to an inner surface ofthe base cover 721. The gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b may deliver arotational force to the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b. The gear motor 7251a and 7251 b includes a pair of gear motors 7251 a and 7251 brespectively connected to the pair of mobile gears 725 a and 725 b.

The gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b includes a first gear motor 7251 aconnected to the first mobile gear 725 a, and a second gear motor 7251 bconnected to the second mobile gear 725 b. The first gear motor 7251 aand the second gear motor 7251 b rotate the first mobile gear 725 a andthe second mobile gear 725 b in different directions opposite to eachother. The first gear motor 7251 a and the second gear motor 7251 brotate the first mobile gear 725 a and the second mobile gear 725 b atthe same speed.

The filter cleaner 72 may further include an additional connection gear7252 a and 7252 b that transfers rotational force of the gear motor 7251a and 7251 b to the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b. The connection gear7252 a and 7252 b may be connected to the gear motor 7251 a and 7251 bto thereby rotate, and may be engaged with the mobile gear 725 a and 725b to thereby rotate the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b.

The guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2 is in contactwith the roller rail 7112 a and 7111 b of the guide rail 711. Ascontacting the roller rail 7112 a and 7112 b, the guide roller 726 a 1,726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2 assists movement of the filter cleaner 72and prevents deviation of the filter cleaner 72 from the guide rail 711.The guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2 brings thefilter cleaner 72 in close contact with the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62c, and 62 d. In this case, the meaning of “close contact” include astate in which the filter cleaner 72 is disposed with at least oneportion thereof brought into contact with the filter module 62 a, 62 b,62 c, and 62 d. Accordingly, this may include the case where the guideroller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2 is disposed to bring aportion of the agitator 723 a and 723 b of the filter cleaner 72 intocontact with the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. Hence, whenthe guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2 bring the filtercleaner 72 into close contact with the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c,and 62 d, the base cover 721 and the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and62 d may be spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other.

The guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, or 726 b 2 rotates about arotational axis that is formed in a direction parallel to a rotationalaxis of the mobile gear 725 or 725 b. The guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2,726 b 1, or 726 b 2 is disposed to an outer surface of the base cover721. The guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, or 726 b 2 is disposedin the guide roller groove portion 7214 that is formed as the outersurface of the base cover 721 is concavely curved rearward. The guideroller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, or 726 b 2 is disposed rearward of themobile gear 725 a or 725 b.

The guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, or 726 b 2 may be providedin plural above and below the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b. A pluralityof guide rollers 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2 may include apair of upper guide rollers 726 a 1 and 726 a 2 disposed above themobile gear 725 a and 725 b, and a pair of lower gears 726 b 1 ad 726 b2 disposed below the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b. The plurality of guiderollers 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2 are disposed above andbelow the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b so as to prevent the mobile bears725 a and 725 b from being influenced by weight of the filter cleaner72.

A length Dp1 by which the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b protrudes from aleft end 7211 a or a right end 7211 b of the guide rail groove 7211toward the center of the guide rail groove 7211 is greater than a lengthDp2 by which the guide roller 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and 726 b 2protrudes from the left end 7211 a or the right end 7211 b of the guiderail groove 7211 toward the center of the guide rail groove 7211.

A gap between one pair of mobile gears 725 a and 725 b may be shorterthan a gap G2 between the guide rollers 726 a 1, 726 a 2, 726 b 1, and726 b 2 arranged side by side.

The agitator 723 a and 723 b is mounted rotatably with respect to thehousing 721 and 722. The agitator 723 a and 723 b may rotate around arotational axis that is formed in a left and right direction. Theagitator 723 a and 723 b may be disposed to be in contact with the outerside of the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. By rotating, theagitator 723 a and 723 b may separate foreign substances stuck in thefilter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d.

The agitator 723 a and 723 b includes a first agitator 723 a disposed onthe right side of the filter cleaner 72, and a second agitator 723 bdisposed on the left side of the filter cleaner 72. The first agitator723 a is disposed in the first agitator groove 7213 a formed on the leftside of the guide rail groove 7211. The second agitator 823 b isdisposed in the second agitator groove 7213 b formed on the right sideof the guide rail groove 7211.

Each of the first agitator 723 a and the second agitator 723 b include:a rotational bar 7231 rotating about a rotational axis parallel to anouter surface of the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d; and aplurality of blades 7232 protruding in a radial direction from an outercircumferential surface of the rotational bar 7231.

Both ends of the rotational bar 7231 may be rotatably fixed to themounting surface 72134 of the agitator groove 7213 a and 7213 b, and oneend of the rotational bar 7231 may be connected to the agitator motor7233 that rotates the agitator 723 a and 723 b. The filter cleaner 72may further include an agitator gear 7234 that transfers a rotationalforce of the agitator motor 7233 to the agitator 723 a and 723 b. Theagitator gear 7234 may be provided in plural so as to transfer therotational force of the agitator motor 7233 to a pair of agitators 723 aand 723 b.

The plurality of blades 7232 is disposed along a circumferential surfaceof the rotational bar 7231. The plurality of blades 7232 are arranged ata predetermined interval along the circumferential surface of therotational bar 7231. The plurality of blades 7232 may be arranged in alength direction and a circumferential surface of the rotational bar7231. When positioned toward the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62d, the plurality of blades 7232 may come into contact with the filtermodule 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. Thus, while the agitator 723 a and723 b rotates, end portions of the blades 7232 may come into contact theouter surface of the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d.

When positioned toward the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d, theplurality of blades 7232 may come into contact with the filter module 62a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. While the rotational bar 7231 rotates, theplurality of blades 7232 may come into contact with the filter module 62a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. While the rotational bar 7231 rotates, theplurality of blades 7232 may come into contact with the duster 72135 aand 72135 b protruding inward from the agitator groove 7213 a and 7213b.

While the rotational bar 7231 rotates, the plurality of blades 7232 maycome into contact with the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d toseparate foreign substances stuck in the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c,and 62 d. While the rotational bar 7231 rotates, the plurality of blades7232 may come into contact with the duster 72135 a and 72135 b toseparate foreign substances existing in the plurality of blades 7232.

The filter cleaner 72 according to the present embodiment includes aside brush part 724 a and 724 b that is disposed on one side of theagitator 723 a and 723 b to clean the outside of the filter module 62 a,62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. The side brush part 724 a and 724 b is disposed tocome into contact with an end portion of the filter module 62 a, 62 b,62 c, and 62 d on one side of the agitator 723 a and 723 b. The sidebrush part 724 a and 724 b includes a first side brush part 724 adisposed on one side of the first agitator 723 a, and a second sidebrush part 724 b disposed on one side of the second agitator 723 b. Thefirst side brush part 724 a is disposed on the left side of the firstagitator 723 a, and the second side brush part 724 b is disposed on theright side of the second agitator 723 b.

Each of the first brush part 724 a and the second side brush part 724 binclude a plurality of brushes 7241 that protrude in a forwarddirection, brought into contact with the outside of the filter module 62a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. The plurality of brushes 7241 may be verticallydisposed at portions where the side brush part 724 a and the second sidebrush part 724 b are formed, respectively.

A length by which the first side brush part 724 a and the second sidebrush part 724 b are respectively formed in the upward and downwarddirections may be greater than a diameter of each of the first agitator723 a and the second agitator 723 b.

The dust container 727 is inserted into a dust container receiving part7281 formed in the connection housing so as to receive foreignsubstances separated from the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 dby the agitator 723 a and 723 b. Through the dust container receivinghole 7225 formed on a side surface of the filter cleaner 72, the dustcontainer 727 may be mounted into the dust container receiving part 7281formed in the connection housing 728.

The dust container 727 has a curved shape convex rearward, when viewedfrom top or bottom. The dust container 727 is inserted into a sidesurface of the filter cleaner 72 disposed in rear of the filter module62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d, and has a shape convex rearward.

The dust container receiving hole 7225 is formed on a side surface ofthe filter cleaner 72, and, since the dust container 72 has a shapeconvex rearward, the dust container 727 disposed in rear of the cabinetis capable of being drawn in a forward direction. This structure makesit easy to easily draw or insert the dust container 727 from the frontside or a lateral side of the indoor unit.

A cross section of the dust container 727 increases from an insertionstart portion 727 a toward an insertion end portion 727 b in a directionin which the dust container 727 is inserted into the dust containerreceiving part 7281. Referring to FIG. 23, a vertical length Dv1 of theinsertion start portion 727 a of the dust container 727 is shorter thana vertical length Dv2 of the insertion end portion 727 b of the dustcontainer 727. Referring to FIG. 21, a horizontal length D11 of theinsertion start portion 727 a of the dust container 727 is equal to ahorizontal length D12 of the insertion end portion 727 b of the dustcontainer 727.

The insertion start portion 727 a may be the first portion to pass thedust container receiving hole 7225 when the dust container 727 isinserted into one side of the filter cleaner 72, and the insertion endportion 727 b may be the last portion to be received through the dustcontainer hole 7225.

A dust container suction port 72711 a and 72711 b are formed in the dustcontainer 727 to suction air in upward direction, and a dust containerdischarge port 72741 is formed in the dust container 727 to dischargeair in a downward direction. The dust container suction port 72711 a and72711 b according to the present embodiment may be implemented as a pairof dust container suction ports respectively connected to the pair ofthe agitator grooves 7213 a and 7213 b.

A size of the dust container suction port 72711 a and 72711 b may beequal to a size of a dust container receiving part upper hole 72816 aand 72816 b. When the dust container 727 is inserted into the dustcontainer receiving part 7281, both ends 72711 a 1 and 72711 b 1 of thedust container suction port 72711 a and 72711 b may be disposed atportions corresponding to both side ends of the dust container receivingpart upper hole 72816 a and 72816 b formed in the dust containerreceiving part 7281.

A size of the dust container discharge port 72741 may be equal to a sizeof a dust container receiving part lower hole 72813 a formed in the dustcontainer receiving part 7281. When the dust container 727 is insertedinto the dust container receiving part 7281, both ends 72741 a and 72741b of the dust container discharge port 72741 may be disposed atpositions corresponding to both side ends 72813 a 1, 72813 a 2 of thedust container receiving part lower hole 72813 a formed in the dustcontainer receiving part 7281. The dust container 727 includes: a dustcontainer body 7272 forming a space where to contain dust; an uppercover 7271 disposed above the dust container body 7272 and having thedust container suction port 72711 a and 72711 b formed therein; and alower cover 7274 disposed below the dust container body 7272 and havingthe discharge port 72741 formed therein. The dust container 727 includesa dust container filter 72742 that is disposed within the lower cover7274 to filter dust from discharged air. The dust container 727 mayfurther include a dust container filter mount 72743 to which the dustcontainer filter 72742 is mounted, and which is accommodated within thelower cover 7274. The dust container 727 may further include an exposedportion 7273 that is exposed from one side of the housing 721 and 722when the dust container 727 is inserted into the filter cleaner 72.

The upper cover 7271 covers a top surface of the dust container 727. Apair of dust container suction ports 72711 a and 72711 b open in anupward direction is formed in the upper cover 7171. The upper cover 7271has a shape convex rearward. The upper cover 7271 may include a bentportion 72712 that is bent downward from the insertion start portion ofthe dust container 727 to cover an end portion of the dust containerbody 7272.

An upper side of the dust container body 7272 is coupled to the uppercover 7171, and a lower side thereof is coupled to the lower cover 7274in a downward direction. The dust container body 7272 has an hollowinner space where to receive dust. Two dust container body suction holes722721 a and 72721 b corresponding to the pair of dust container suctionports 72711 a and 72711 b may be formed on the upper side of the dustcontainer body 7172. The lower side of the dust container body 7272,which is subject to be coupled to the lower cover 7274, may be open tocommunicate with a space of the lower cover 7274.

The dust container body 7272 may be formed of a transparent material sothat foreign substances existing in the inner space can be seen. At anend portion in a direction in which the dust container 727 is inserted,the dust container body 7272 may be coupled to the exposed portion 7273.

The dust container body 7272 may have a shape convex rearward. The dustcontainer body 7272 has a shape in which a cross section thereofdecreases from the insertion starting portion toward the insertionending portion. A lower end portion of the dust container body 7272 mayhave a shape which is upwardly inclined from the insertion endingportion 727 b toward the insertion start portion 727 a.

At the insertion start portion of the dust container body 7272 in adirection in which the dust container 727 is inserted, at least onemagnet member 72722 or 72723 may be disposed. The insertion startportion of the dust container body 7272 in the direction in which thedust container 727 is inserted includes: a first magnet member 72722generating a magnetic force to the lower cover 7274; and a second magnetmember 72723 generating a magnetic force to the connection housing 728into which the dust container 727 is inserted. The first magnet member72722 and the second magnet member 72723 may be disposed between thedust container body 7272 and the bent portion 72712 of the upper cover7271. The second magnet member 72723 maintains a state in which the dustcontainer 727 is completely inserted into the filter cleaner 72.

Here, complete insertion indicates a state in which portions of the dustcontainer 727 to be inserted into the filter cleaner 72 are all insertedinto the filter cleaner 72. Thus, in the state in which the dustcontainer 727 is completely inserted, the dust container 72 is notfurther inserted into the filter cleaner 72.

Part of the exposed portion 7273 is exposed to the outside of the filtercleaner 72 when the dust container 727 is completely inserted into thefilter cleaner 72. The exposed portion 7273 may serve as a handle usedby a user to insert the dust container 727 into the filter cleaner 72 ordraw the dust container 727 from the filter cleaner 72. The exposedportion 7273 is coupled by an additional coupling member 7275 to an endportion of the dust container body 7272.

The exposed portion 7273 includes: an exposed portion cover 72731disposed to be exposed from one side of the filter cleaner 72 when thedust container 722 is mounted to the filter cleaner 72; a coupling part72732 to be coupled by the coupling member 7275 to the dust containerbody 7272; and a lower cover connector 72733 disposed below the couplingpart 72732 and connected to one side of the lower cover 7274.

The exposed portion cover 72731 may have a shape that bends incorrespondence to a shape of the dust container receiving hole 7225.When the dust container 727 is mounted to the filter cleaner 72, thecoupling part 72732 and the lower cover connector 72733 are positionedinside the filter cleaner 72. In the lower cover connector 72733, theremay be formed a groove portion into which an end protrusion 72745 of thelower cover 7274 is inserted.

An upper side of the lower cover 7274 is coupled to the dust containerbody 7272. In a lower side of the lower cover 7274, there is formed adischarge port 72741 through which air flows toward the suction fan 729.The dust container filter 72742 may be disposed within the lower cover7274. The dust container filter 72742 may be disposed on the dischargeport 72741 of the lower cover 7274.

The dust container filter mount 72743 with the dust container filter72742 mounted thereto may be disposed in the lower cover 7274. Acounterpart member 72744 subject to an attractive force from the firstmagnet member 72722 disposed on one side of the dust container body 7272may be disposed in the lower cover 7274.

The end protrusion 72745 on one side of the lower cover 7274 may beinserted into the exposed portion 7273 to be fixed thereto, and thecounterpart member 72744 on the other side of the lower cover 7274 maybe fixed by an electronic force of the first magnet member 72722 of thedust container body 7272. The counterpart member 72744 is a member onwhich an attractive force acts with respect to the first magnet member72722, and may use iron or a magnetic material. The counterpart member72744 may be disposed at a starting portion of the lower cover 7274. Thecounterpart member 72744 may be disposed between the lower cover 7274and the dust container filter mount 72743.

The connection housing 728 is disposed within the housing 721 and 722 toguide the dust container 727 to be inserted or drawn. The connectionhousing 728 connects the agitator groove 7213 a and 7213 b and the dustcontainer 727. The connection housing 728 connects the dust container727 and the suction fan 729.

The connection housing 728 may be fixed to the inside of the housing 721and 722. The connection housing 728 may be fixed to an inner surface ofthe base cover 721. The connection housing 728 includes: the dustcontainer receiving part 7281 into which the dust container 727 isinserted; and the suction connection tube 7282 a and 7282 b connectingthe agitator groove 7213 a and 7213 b and the dust container 727inserted into the dust container receiving part 7281.

The dust container receiving part 7281 may have a shape corresponding toan external shape of the dust container 727, so that the dust container727 can be inserted into the dust container receiving part 7281. Thatis, the dust container receiving part 7281 may have a shape thatsurrounds an outer circumference of the dust container 727, which isformed convex rearward. In the dust container receiving part 7281, afront surface 72811, into which the dust container 727 is to beinserted, and a rear surface 72812 may be formed as a convexly curvedsurface. In the dust container receiving part 7281, a bottom surface72813, into which the dust container 727 is to be inserted, is upwardlyinclined in a direction of the insertion.

In the dust container receiving part 7281, there is disposed a receivingpart auxiliary roller 72814 a and 72814 b that makes it easy to insertor draw the dust container 727. The receiving part auxiliary roller72814 a and 72814 b may be disposed on each of the front surface and therear surface of the dust container receiving part 7281.

At an end portion of the dust container receiving part 7281, there maybe disposed a dust container fixing member 72815 subject to anattracting force from the magnet member 72722 disposed in the dustcontainer 727. The dust container fixing member 72815 may be disposed atan end portion of the dust container receiving part 7281 to fix the dustcontainer 727 using a magnetic force when the dust container 727 iscompletely inserted into the dust container receiving part 7281.

The suction connection tube 7282 a and 7282 b is disposed above the dustcontainer receiving part 7281. On a top surface 72816 disposed above thedust container 7281, there may be formed a pair of dust containerreceiving part upper holes 72816 a and 72816 b communicating with a pairof suction connection tubes 7282 a and 7282 b.

A lower side of the dust container receiving part 7281 may be connectedto a suction fan connection tube 7292 that is connected to one side ofthe suction fan 729. On The bottom surface 72813 of the dust containerreceiving part 7281, there may be formed a dust container receiving partbottom hole 72813 a corresponding to the discharge port 72741 of thedust container 727. The dust container receiving part bottom hole 72813a may allow the inside of the dust container 727 and the suction fanconnection tube 7292 to communicate with each other. The bottom surface72813 of the dust container receiving part 7281 may be disposed to beupwardly inclined from a start portion toward an end portion in adirection in which the dust container 727 is inserted.

When the dust container 727 is completely inserted into the dustcontainer receiving part 7281, the upper cover 7271 of the dustcontainer 727 may be brought into contact with the top surface 72816 ofthe dust container receiving part 7281, and the lower cover 7274 of thedust container 727 may be brought into contact with the bottom surface72813 of the dust container receiving part 7281.

The suction connection tube 7282 a and 7282 b is disposed above the dustcontainer receiving part 7281. The suction connection tube 7282 a and7282 b connects the dust container receiving part 7281 and the pair ofagitator grooves 7213 a and 7213 b. The suction connection tube 7282 aand 7282 b may include a pair of suction connection tubes 7282 a and7282 b respectively connected to the pair of agitator grooves 7213 a and7213 b. The pair of suction connection tubes 7282 a and 7282 b ismounted to one side of an agitator circumferential surface 72131 formedby the pair of agitator grooves 7213 a and 7213 b. The pair of suctionconnection tubes 7282 a and 7282 b may communicate with the pair ofagitator grooves 7213 a and 7213 b through communication holes 72132 aand 72132 b that are respectively formed in the pair of agitator grooves7213 a and 7213 b.

The pair of suction connection tubes 7282 a and 7282 b may be formed asa structure integrally formed with the dust container receiving part7281. The connection housing 728 includes a plurality of couplers 7283 sto couple the base cover 721 and the agitator circumferential surface72131 of the agitator grooves 7213 a and 7213 b. In the pair of suctionconnection tubes 7282 a and 7282 b, coupling hooks 7284 are formed atportions to be brought into contact with the agitator circumferentialsurface 72131 of the agitator grooves 7213 a and 7213 b. The couplinghooks 7284 are to be engaged with coupling protrusions 72133 that areformed on the agitator circumferential surface 72131 of the agitatorgrooves 7213 a and 7213 b. The connection housing 728 is capable ofbeing fixed to the base cover 721 by the coupling hooks 7284 and thecoupling protrusion 72133 that is formed on the agitator circumferentialsurface 72131 of the agitator grooves 7213 a and 7213 b. Before theconnection housing 728 is coupled to the base cover 721 by an additionalcoupling member (not shown), the connection housing 728 may be fixed tothe base cover 721.

The suction fan 729 forms airflow that flows from the agitator grooves7213 a and 7213 b toward the dust container 727. The suction fan 729rotates by the suction fan motor 7291. When the suction fan 729 rotates,air and foreign substances existing in the agitator grooves 7213 a and7213 b may be suctioned into the dust container 727. The suction fan 729is disposed below the dust container 727. The suction fan 729 may have astructure of suctioning air from an upper side and discharging the airin a direction downward of a circumferential surface. The suction fanmotor 7291 is disposed below the suction fan 729.

The suction fan 729 is disposed between the pair of gear motors 7251 aand 7251 b. The air discharged by the suction fan 729 may flow in adirection toward the gear motors 7251 a and 7251 b disposed on acircumferential surface. The air flowing by the suction fan 729 may bedischarged to the outside of the filter cleaner 72 through the coverexhaust port 7222 b formed in the bottom surface 7222 of the outer cover722.

The suction fan connection tube 7292 connects the discharge port 72741of the dust container 727 and the suction fan 729. The suction fanconnection tube 7292 is connected to the bottom surface 72813 of thedust container receiving part 7281 in the connection housing 728. Theupper side of the suction fan connection tube 7292 connected to thelower side of the dust container receiving part 7281 may be formed to beinclined in correspondence to the bottom surface 72813 of the dustcontainer receiving part 7281.

The suction fan connection tube 7292 forms a direction in which an innercross section of the suction fan connection tube 7292 decreases towardthe suction fan 729. That is, the inner cross section of the suction fanconnection tube 7292 may decreases from the top thereof connected to thedust container receiving part 7291 toward the bottom thereof connectedto the suction fan 729.

In the suction fan connection tube 7292, there may be disposed a suctiongrill 72921 that removes dust introduced into the suction fan 729. Thesuction grill 72921 is capable of removing foreign substances flowingtoward the suction fan 729 when the dust container 727 is separated fromthe dust container receiving part 7281. The suction grill 72921 may bedisposed at the upper end of the suction fan connection tube 7292.

The filter cleaner 72 may include a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 74having a circuit that controls operation of the filter leaner 72 withpower supplied through the power line 731. The PCB 74 is disposed withinthe housing 721 and 722. The PCB 74 may be disposed on the opposite sideof the dust container receiving hole 7225 through which the dustcontainer 727 is inserted.

<Filter Cleaning Assembly-Power Supply Device>

With reference to FIGS. 11, 12, and 28 to 31, the power supply device ofthe filter cleaning assembly according to the present embodiment will bedescribed.

A power supply device 73 supplies power to a filter cleaner 72 thatmoves upward and downward in rear of an upper cabinet 11 and the lowercabinet 13. The power supply device 73 includes: the power line 731connected to the filter cleaner 72 to supply power; a code reel 732 forreeling a power line 731 around an outer circumference thereof tomaintain tension of the power line 731; and a power line cover tube 733for minimizing friction of the power line 731 disposed inside the baseunit 12 with a different element.

The power line 731 is connected to a power source terminal 7216 of thefilter cleaner 72. The power line 731 is fixed to a power line fixingpart 7217, and positioned in a guide groove 7113 of a guide rail 711when the filter cleaner 72 moves.

Since tension of the power line 731 is maintained by the code reel 732,the power line 731 is capable of being positioned in the guide groove7113 of the guide rail 711. The code reel 732 may be in a structure ofreeling the power line around the outer circumferential surface thereofand drawing the power line 731 with a consistent force.

The code reel 732 according to the present embodiment is disposed insidethe base unit 12. The code reel 732 may be disposed below a movementguider 71, thereby enabled to maintain tension of the power line 731.The code reel 732 is disposed below the guide rail 711 and draws thepower line 731 in a downward direction.

The power line cover tube 733 is disposed between the code reel 732 andthe guide rail 711. The power line cover tube 733 prevents the powerline 731 disposed inside the base unit 12 from being in friction with adifferent element disposed inside the base unit 12.

The power line cover tube 733 extends from one side of the outercircumferential surface of the code reel 732 toward a rearwardprotruding cover 131 formed in a lower cabinet 13. The power line covertube 733 may extend from the inside of a base unit 12 toward therearward protruding cover 131 of the lower cabinet 13 external to thebase unit 12, thereby forming a curbed tub at some sections.

At a portion disposed on the rearward protruding cover 131, the powerline cover tube 733 may form a straight tube extending upward. At anupper end 7331 disposed inside the rearward protruding cover 131, thepower line cover tube 733 may form the straight tube extending upward.The upper end 7331 of the power line cover tube 733 may be disposedrearward of the base unit 12 and inward of the rearward protruding cover131. The top end 7331 of the power line cover tube 733 may be connectedto a top surface 1311 of the rearward protruding cover 131. The powerline 731 disposed inside a top end 7331 of the power line cover tube 131may protrude toward the outside of the lower cabinet 13 through a powerline hole 1312 of the rearward protruding cover 131.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating a control relationship of majorcomponents of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

referring to the drawing, an air conditioner according to an embodimentof the present invention may include: a sensor unit 1215 including oneor more sensors configured to sense a variety of data; a memory 1256configured to store the variety of data; a communication unit 1270configured to wirelessly communicate with a different electronic device;a filter cleaning assembly VII configured to clean a filter; ahumidifying assembly V; a controller 1240 configured to control overalloperations of the air conditioner; and a driving unit 1280 configured tocontrol operations of a heat exchanger, a valve, a wind adjustmentmeans, etc. disposed inside the cabinet assembly I under control of thecontroller 1240.

For example, the sensor unit 1215 may include: one or more temperaturesensors configured to sense indoor and outdoor temperature; a humiditysensor configured to sense humidity; a dust sensor configured to sensean air quality; and the like.

The temperature sensors may be disposed at a suction port to measureindoor temperature, disposed inside the cabinet assembly I to measureheat exchange temperature, disposed on one side of a discharge port tomeasure temperature of discharged air, and disposed in a refrigerantpipe to measure refrigerant temperature.

In particular, the sensor unit 1215 may sense a distance to the filtercleaner 72. Specifically, the sensor unit 1215 may be disposed in theguide rail 711 to sense a distance to the housing 721 and 722. To thisend, the sensor unit 215 may include an upper distance sensor 1215 a anda lower distance sensor 1215 b.

The upper distance sensor 1215 a is disposed at an upper end of theguide rail 711 and is capable of sensing a distance to the filtercleaner 72 upon upward movement of the filter cleaner 72.

The lower distance sensor 1215 b is disposed at the bottom of the guiderail 711 and capable of sensing a distance to the filter cleaner 72 upondownward movement of the filter cleaner 72.

Meanwhile, the controller 1240 may control a moving speed of the filtercleaner 72 based on distance information sensed by the sensor unit 1215.

A vision module 1900 may include at least one camera to photograph anindoor environment. The camera serves to photograph surroundings or anexternal environment of the air conditioner, and such a camera may beinstalled in plural at each portion for efficiency in photographing.

For example, the camera may include at least one optical lens, an imagesensor (e.g., a CMOS image sensor) including a plurality of photodiodes(e.g., pixels) on which an image is created by light transmitted throughthe optical lens, and a digital signal processor (DSP) to construct animage based on signals output from the photodiodes. The DSP may producenot only a still image, but also a video consisting of framesconstituting still images.

Meanwhile, an image acquired by the camera may be stored in the memory1256.

The vision module 1900 may be installed in the upper cabinet 11 and maybe, in some cases, installed on an upper panel of the cabinet. Inaddition, the vision module 1900 may be accommodated inside the cabinetassembly I when not in operation, and may be elevated to operate.

A display module 1000 may display information corresponding to a user'scommand input, a processing result corresponding to the user's commandinput, an operation mode, an operation state, an error state, etc. inthe form of an image.

In some implementations, the display module 1000 may form an inter-layerstructure with a touch pad to be configured as a touch screen. In thiscase, a display may be used not just as an output device but also as aninput device using which information corresponding to a user's touch canbe received.

In some implementations, the display module 1000 may further include alighting unit that outputs an operation state on the basis of whetherthe lighting unit is turned on/off, which light color the lighting unitemits, whether the lighting unit flicks or not.

In some implementations, the air conditioner may further include anadditional operator 1230. The operator 1230 may include at least one ofa button, a switch, or a touch input means, and may input a user'scommand or predetermined data to the air conditioner.

The memory 1256 records a variety of information required to operate theair conditioner, and may store control data necessary to controloperations, data about operation modes, data sensed by the sensor unit1215, data transmitted and received via the communication unit 1270,etc.

The memory 1256 may include a volatile or non-volatile recording medium.The recording medium store data readable by a micro processor, and mayinclude a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a Solid State Disk (SSD), a SiliconDisk Drive (SDD), an ROM, an RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppydisk, a optical data storage, etc.

Meanwhile, the memory 1256 may store data required for voicerecognition, and the controller 1240 may process a user voice inputsignal received via an audio input unit 1220 and perform a voicerecognition procedure.

Meanwhile, simple voice recognition may be performed by the airconditioner, and sophisticated voice recognition, such as naturallanguage processing and the like, may be performed by a voicerecognition server system.

For example, when a wake-up voice signal including a preset call word isreceived, the air conditioner may be transitioned to a state forreceiving a voice command. In this case, the air conditioner may performa voice recognition procedure to determine whether a voice including acall word is received, and a voice recognition procedure for determiningwhether a user's voice is received may be performed using the voicerecognition server system.

Since there are limitations in system resources of the air conditioner,complicated natural language recognition and processing may be performedby the voice recognition server system.

In some implementations, the memory 1256 may store a sound file of avoice command input by a user, and the stored sound file may betransmitted to the voice recognition server system via the communicationunit 1270. In addition, the stored sound file may be deleted after apreset period of time elapses or after a preset operation is performed.

The communication unit 1270 may include one or more communicationmodules and exchange various signals with a different electronic deviceby wirelessly communicating with the different electronic deviceaccording to a predetermined communication scheme.

In this case, the predetermined communication scheme may be a Wi-Ficommunication scheme. In response, a communication module included inthe air conditioner may be a Wi-Fi communication module, but the presentinvention is not limited to a communication scheme.

In addition, the air conditioner may include a different-typecommunication module or a plurality of communication modules. Forexample, the air conditioner may include an NFC module, a Zigbeecommunication module, a Bluetooth™ communication module, etc.

The air conditioner may be connected with a server included in a voicerecognition server system, a predetermined external server, a user'smobile terminal, etc. via a Wi-Fi communication module, and may supportsmart functions, such as remote monitoring, remote control, etc.

A user may check information on an air conditioner using the mobileterminal, or control the air conditioner.

In addition, the communication unit 1270 may communicate with an accesspoint (AP) device and communicate with other devices by accessing awireless internet network via the AP device.

In addition, the controller 1240 may transmit information on a state ofthe air conditioner, a user's voice command, etc. to the voicerecognition server system via the communication unit 1270.

Meanwhile, when a control signal is received via the communication unit1270, the controller 1240 may control the air conditioner to operate inaccordance with the received control signal.

By controlling rotation of a motor connected to indoor fans, the drivingunit 1280 may control an amount of air to be discharged to an indoorspace. For example, the driving unit 1280 may control rotation of amotor connected to a circulator fan provided in the front blowing module31, any other blow fan below the circulator fan, etc.

In addition, the driving unit 1280 may control driving of a heatexchanger to evaporate or condense a supplied refrigerant so as toperform heat exchange of ambient air.

The driving unit 1280 may control operations of a valve, a windadjustment means, etc. provided inside the cabinet assembly I inaccordance with a control command from the controller 1240.

In some implementations, the controller 1240 may directly control apredetermined unit in the air conditioner.

Meanwhile, the driving unit 1280 may include a motor driving unit, andmay include an inverter to drive a motor.

In some implementations, the driving unit 1280 may provide a drivingforce so that the front blowing module 31 rotates. In addition, thedriving unit 1280 may provide a driving force to a circulator movingunit (not shown) so that the front blowing module 31 moves. In addition,the driving unit 1280 may control opening and closing of a valveinstalled inside. In some cases, the driving unit 1280 may provide adriving force so that the upper cabinet slides to the left or to theright. In some implementations, the driving unit 1280 may include acirculator driving unit and a front panel driving unit.

The filter cleaner assembly VII may have the filter module 62 a, 62 b,62 c, and 62 d installed therein, and remove foreign substances from thefilter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. While moving on the surface ofthe filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d, the filter cleaner 72 maysuction dust from the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. Inaddition, while cleaning the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d,the filter cleaner 72 may sterilize the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c,and 62 d using a sterilizing lamp.

When necessary, the filter cleaning assembly VII may be a conceptincluding the guide rail 711, the upper distance sensor 1215 a, thelower distance sensor 1215 b, the filter cleaner 72, and a cleaningmodule controller 1247. In another example, the filter cleaning assemblyVII may be a concept including the guide rail 711, the filter cleaner72, and the cleaning module controller 1247. In yet another example, thefilter cleaning assembly VII may be a concept including a filtercleaning unit and the cleaning module controller 1247.

Meanwhile, the air conditioner according to the present inventionautomatically or manually performs filter cleaning, thereby providingconvenience in filter management.

The humidifying assembly V performs humidification by supplying waterfrom the water tank 51 and providing moisture, and may dischargehumidified air to the outside.

The humidifying assembly V may humidify air by generating steam, andallow the humidified air to be discharged to an indoor space through adischarge port together with conditioned air.

The humidifying assembly V may employ a vibration type using vibration,a steam type, a spray type by spraying water, and any of various typesof humidifying methods.

The controller 1240 may process input and output data, store data in thememory 1256, and perform control to transmit and receive data via thecommunication unit 1270.

The controller 1240 may control the air conditioner to operate inaccordance an input through the display module 1000, the operator 1230,etc., and may control the driving unit 1280 so that cold air conditionedby a refrigerant supplied from an outdoor unit is discharged into anindoor space.

The controller 1240 may perform control based on a set operation mode ordata measured by the sensor unit 1215 so that the front blowing module31 discharges air to the outside.

In addition, the controller 1240 may operate the humidifying assembly Vto discharge humidified air, and control the filter cleaning assemblyVII to clean a filter.

The controller 1240 may sense presence of a person using the sensor unit1215 or the vision module 1900, and control airflow based on positioninformation of the sensed person.

The controller 1240 may monitor an operation state of each module, andperform control such that an operation state is output through thedisplay module 1000 based on received data.

Meanwhile, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the presentinvention may further include a power unit 1299, an audio input unit1220 configured to receive a user's voice command, and an audio outputunit 1291 configured to output predetermined information in an audioform.

The power unit 1299 may supply operation power to each unit of the airconditioner. The power unit 1299 may rectify and smooth a common powersource connected thereto to generate and supply a voltage required byeach unit. In addition, the power unit 1299 may prevent an inrushcurrent and generate a constant voltage. In addition, the power unit1299 may supply operation power to an outdoor unit (not shown).

The audio input unit 1220 may receive an external audio signal and auser voice command. To this end, the audio input unit 1220 may includeone or more microphones (MIC). In addition, in order to more preciselyreceive a user's voice command, the audio input unit 1220 may include aplurality of MICs. The plurality of MICs may be deposed at differentpositions at intervals, and acquire an external audio signal and processthe external audio signal into an electrical signal.

The audio input unit 1220 may include a processor configured to convertanalog sound into digital data, or may be connected to a processor toconvert a user's voice command into data so that the processor 1240 or apredetermined server can recognize the voice command.

Meanwhile, the audio input unit 1220 may employ any of various noisereduction algorithm to reduce noise occurring when receiving a user'svoice command.

In addition, the audio input unit 1220 may include elements required toprocess an audio signal, such as a filter for reducing noise from anaudio signal received from each MIC, an amplifier for amplifying asignal output from a filter and outputting the amplified signal, etc.

In addition, under control of the controller 1240, the audio output unit1291 may output audio sound to notify a notification message such aswarning sound, an operation mode, an operation state, an error state,etc., information corresponding to a user's command input, a processingresult corresponding to the user's command input, and the like.

Meanwhile, the audio output unit 1291 may convert an electrical signalfrom the controller 1240 into an audio signal and output the audiosignal. To this end, the audio output unit 1291 may include a speaker orthe like.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating inner configuration of a controlleraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the controller 1240 may be configured as onemicro processor or a plurality of micro processors.

Depending on functions, the controller 1240 may include a maincontroller 1241, a vision module controller 1242, a power supplycontroller 1243, a light controller 1244, a display module controller1245, a humidifying module controller 1246, a cleaning module controller1247, etc.

The controllers 1241 to 1247 may be configured as a singlemicroprocessor and may be installed at each module. For example, thevision module 1900, the filter cleaning assembly VII, and thehumidifying assembly V may be controlled using one microprocessor.

In some implementations, the main controller 1241 may apply a controlcommand to other controllers 1241 to 1247, receive data from each of thecontrollers, and process the received data. The main controller 1241 andthe other controllers 1242 to 1247 may be connected in a BUS form totransmit and receive data from one another.

In some implementations, a microprocessor may be installed in eachmodule to process operation of a corresponding module more quickly. Forexample, a display module controller 1245 may be provided in the displaymodule 1000, and a humidifying module controller 1246 may be provided inthe humidifying assembly V.

Meanwhile, the block diagram of the controller 1240 in FIG. 33 is just ablock diagram according to one embodiment of the present inventio. Someof the components in the block diagram may be integrated, added, oromitted according to the specification of the controller 1240 and unitsof the air conditioner which are actually implemented. That is, ifnecessary, two or more components can be integrated into one componentor one component may be divided into two or more components andconfigured. In addition, a function performed by each block is todescribe an embodiment of the present invention and its specificoperation or device does not limit the scope of the present invention.

Meanwhile, the present invention is to control movement of the filtercleaning assembly VII, and the controller 1240 and the cleaning modulecontroller 1247 may be hereinafter used interchangeably.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating a control relationship of majorcomponents of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to the drawing, an air conditioner may include: a visionmodule 1900, a sensor unit 1215 configured to sense a variety of data;an audio input unit 1220 configured to receive a user's voice command;an operator 1230; a memory 1256 configured to store the variety of data;a communication unit 1270 configured to wirelessly communicate with adifferent electronic device; a driving unit 1280 configured to performoperations of the air conditioner; a display module 1000 configured todisplay predetermined information as an image; an audio output unit 1291configured to output predetermined information as audio sound; ahumidifying assembly V, a filter cleaning assembly VII, a controller1240 configured to control overall operations; and a processor 1260.

The inner block diagram of the air conditioner in FIG. is similar to thediagram in FIG. 32, but different therefrom in that the processor 1260is further included and that the audio input unit 1220, the audio outputunit 1291, the communication unit 1270, and the processor 1260 areprovided in one module, that is, a voice recognition module 1205.

In some implementations, the voice recognition module 1205 may includethe communication unit 1270 and the processor 1260, and the audio inputunit 1220 and the audio output unit 1291 may be configured as anadditional integrated module.

Meanwhile, the processor 1260 may control the audio input unit 1220, theaudio output unit 1291, the communication unit 1270, and the like.

Hereinafter, FIG. 34 will be described mainly about the differences fromFIG. 32.

The processor 1260 may process a user's voice signal received via theaudio input unit 1220, and perform a voice recognition procedure.

For example, when a wake-up voice signal including a preset call word isreceived, the processor 1260 may be transitioned into a state forreceiving a voice command. In this case, the processor 1260 may performthe voice recognition procedure as to determining whether a voiceincluding a call word is received, and the voice recognition procedureas to determining a user's voice input may be performed by a voicerecognition server system.

The processor 1260 may perform control such that a user's voice commandreceived after recognition of a wake-up voice signal is transmitted tothe voice recognition server system via the communication unit 1270.

In addition, the processor 1260 may state information of the airconditioner, the user's voice command, and the like to the voicerecognition server system via the communication unit 1270.

Meanwhile, when a control signal is received via the communication unit1270, the processor 1260 may transmit the control signal to thecontroller 1240 and then the controller 1240 may control the airconditioner to operate in accordance with the received control signal.

In conclusion, by using the voice recognition module 1205, it ispossible to acquire voice data, communicate with the server system, andoutput corresponding sound.

Meanwhile, the voice recognition module 1205 may be attached not just tothe air conditioner but also various electronic devices. Alternatively,the voice recognition module 1205 may be used as a separate device,instead of being attached to any other electronic device.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present inventionmay receive a user's voice input, and the voice recognition serversystem may control the air conditioner by recognizing and analyzing theuser's voice input.

Accordingly, a user is capable of controlling the air conditionerwithout manipulating a mobile terminal or a remote controller.

FIG. 25 is an internal block diagram of a cleaning module according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the filter cleaning assembly VII may include:a filter cleaner 72 cleaning a filter while moving over a filter module62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d; a guide rail 711 guiding movement of thefilter cleaner 72; and a sensor unit 1215 disposed in the guide rail 711to sense a distance to the filter cleaner 72 in move.

The air conditioner according to the present invention may include thefilter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d that are disposed at an airsuction port to filter air flowing toward an inner space. The filtercleaner 72 may move over the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d.

More specifically, the guide rail 711 may extend from the center of thetop of the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d toward the center ofthe bottom of the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d, and theguide rail 711 may guide upward and downward movement of the filtercleaner 72.

The filter cleaner 72 may include a gear motor 7251 a and 7251 bgenerating a driving force to enable the filter cleaner 72 to move, anda mobile gear 725 a and 725 b transferring the driving force of the gearmotor 7251 a and 7251 b. The mobile gear 725 a and 725 b may includepinion gear teeth disposed in a circumferential direction so as to beengaged with the guide rail 711.

The guide rail 711 may include rack gear teeth to be engaged with thepinion gear teeth.

Upon a filter cleaning function request, the controller 1240 may controlthe gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b to generate a driving force. Forexample, the gear motor 7251 and 7251 b may be a step motor, and thecontroller 1240 may generate a pulse signal upon a filter cleaningfunction request to control the gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b. In thecase where a step motor rotates once in response to reception of 360pulses, the step motor may rotate about one degree in response toreception of one pulse.

The driving force generated by the gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b istransferred to the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b, and the mobile gear 725a and 725 b may rotate accordingly. In this case, the pinion gear teethof the moving bear 725 a and 725 b and rack gear teeth 730 c of theguide rail 711 may be engaged with each other. In addition, the filtercleaner 72 may move upward or downward depending on a direction ofrotation of the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b.

Meanwhile, the agitator 723 a and 723 b may be connected directly orindirectly to the agitator motor 7233, thereby enabled to rotate in linkwith the upward or downward movement of the filter cleaner 72. Theagitator 723 a and 723 b may rotate in friction contact with the filtermodule 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 72 d. In addition, while rotating, theagitator 723 a and 723 b may separate foreign substances stuck in thefilter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d.

The sensor unit 1215 may include at least one IR (infrared) sensorconfigured to sense a distance to the filter cleaner 72 based on aninfrared signal. The IR sensor may output a first infrared sensor, andsense a distance to the filter cleaner 72 based on a second infraredsignal that is reflected from the filter cleaner 72 from among firstinfrared signals output from the IR sensor.

The sensor unit 1215 of the present invention includes an IR sensor, andthus, it is easy to implement the filter cleaning assembly VII andreduce manufacturing cost.

The sensor unit 1215 may include an upper distance sensor 1215 a and alower distance sensor 1215 b.

The upper distance sensor 1215 a may be disposed at an upper end of theguide rail 711 and senses a distance to the filter cleaner 72 when thefilter cleaner 72 moves upward.

The lower distance sensor 1215 b may be disposed at a lower end of theguide rail 711 and senses a distance to the filter cleaner 72 when thefilter cleaner 72 moves downward.

More specifically, the filter cleaner 72 may include a housing 721 and722 that accommodates the gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b and the agitator723 a and 723 b.

The upper distance sensor 1215 a may be disposed at the top end of theguide rail 711. Alternatively, the upper distance sensor 1215 a may bedisposed at a position in the guide rail 711 which corresponds to amaximum upward moving path of the filter cleaner 72.

The upper distance sensor 1215 a may sense a distance to the top surfaceof the housing 721 and 722 when the filter cleaner 72 moves upward.

The lower distance sensor 1215 b may be disposed at the lower end of theguide rail 711. Alternatively, the lower distance sensor 1215 b may bedisposed at a position in the guide rail 711 which corresponds to amaximum downward moving path of the filter cleaner 72.

The lower distance sensor 1215 b may sense a distance to the bottomsurface of the housing 721 and 722 when the filter cleaner 72 movesdownward.

Since the sensor unit 1215 of the present invention is disposed at thetop end and the bottom end of the guide rail 711, limitation to thelayout of the filter cleaning assembly VII is minimized, therebyincreasing design freedom.

FIG. 26 is a diagram for explanation of how to control a moving speed ofthe guide rail 711 when the filter cleaner moves in an upward directionof the guide rail 711 and when the filter cleaner moves in a downwarddirection of the guide rail 711.

Referring to the drawing, the air conditioner of the present inventionmay include an upper cabinet 11 having an air suction port formed on arear surface thereof, and a filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d maybe disposed on the air suction port to filter air that flows into aninner space.

The guide rail 711 may extends from the center of the top of the filtermodule 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d in a direction toward the center ofthe bottom thereof, and the guide rail 711 may guide upward and downwardmovement of the filter cleaner 72.

The filter cleaner 72 may include a gear motor 7251 a and 7251 bgenerating a driving force to enable the filter cleaner 72 to move, anagitator 723 a and 723 b enabled to rotate in friction contact with thefilter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d, and a housing 721 and 722accommodating the gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b and the agitator 723 aand 723 b.

The gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b may transfer a driving force to mobilegear 725 a and 725 b, and the mobile gear 725 a and 725 b may includepinion gear teeth formed in a circumferential direction.

An upper distance sensor 1215 a may be disposed at the top end of theguide rail 711. Alternatively, the upper distance sensor 1215 may bedisposed at a position in the guide rail 711 which corresponds to amaximum upward moving path of the filter cleaner 711.

A lower distance sensor 1215 b may be disposed at the bottom end of theguide rail 711. Alternatively, the lower distance sensor 1215 b may bedisposed at a position in the guide rail 711 which corresponds to amaximum downward moving path of the filter cleaner 72.

The upper distance sensor 1215 a may sense a distance to the top surfaceof the housing 721 and 722 when the filter cleaner 72 moves upward. Thelower distance sensor 1215 b may sense a distance to the bottom surfaceof the housing 721 and 722 when the filter cleaner 72 moves downward.

The upward distance sensor 1215 a and the lower distance sensor 1215 bmay be implemented as a limited switch or a photo sensor. Preferably,the upper distance sensor 1215 a and the lower distance sensor 1215 bmay be implemented by employing infrared rays. That is, each of theupper distance sensor 1215 a and the lower distance sensor 1215 b mayinclude an IR sensor.

The controller 1240 may control a moving speed of the filter cleaner 72based on distance information sensed by the sensor unit 1215.

More specifically, when the filter cleaner 72 reaches a preset firstapproach distance, the controller 1240 may perform control such that amoving speed of the filter cleaner 72 decreases.

When the filter cleaner 72 reaches the first approach preset distance,the controller 1240 may linearly decreases the moving speed of thefilter cleaner 72. In this case, the gradient of the moving speed may bea first gradient (slope 1).

Meanwhile, the first approach distance may be set in consideration ofstructure, design, a tonality level of the air conditioner. For example,the air conditioner of the present invention may analyze noise occurringupon driving of the filter cleaner 72 through experiments, and set thefirst approach distance to be a distance of the filter cleaner 72 at apoint in time when the tonality level is at the minimum.

In this case, tonality may be understood as quantitively expressing alevel of annoyance of a note perceived by a human in Sound Quality (SQ)index.

When the filter cleaner 72 b reaches a second approach distance shorterthan the first approach distance, the controller 1240 may performcontrol such that the filter cleaner 72 stops.

The second approach distance may be information on a distance to thefilter cleaner 72 sensed by the upper distance sensor 1215 a or thelower distance sensor 1215 b when the filter cleaner 72 is brought intocontact with the upper distance sensor 1215 a or the lower distancesensor 1215 b.

Alternatively, the second approach distance may be information on adistance to the filter cleaner 72 sensed by the upper distance sensor1215 a or the lower distance sensor 1215 b when the filter cleaner 72arrives at the highest position up to which the filter cleaner 72 isallowed to reach along the guide rail 711.

Meanwhile, the above procedure may be performed in response to bothupward movement and downward movement of the filter cleaner 72. That is,when the filter cleaner 72 moves upward, the controller 1240 may controla moving speed of the filter cleaner 72 based on distance informationsensed by the upper distance sensor 1215 a.

In addition, when the filter cleaner 72 moves downward, the controllermay control a moving speed of the filter cleaner 72 based on distanceinformation sensed by the lower distance sensor 1215 b.

When the filter cleaner 72 reaches the second approach distance, thecontroller 1240 may change a direction of rotation of the gear motor7251 a and 7251 b. For example, when the filter cleaner 72 reaches thesecond approach distance while moving upward, the controller 1240 maychange a direction of rotation of the gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b suchthat the filter cleaner 72 moves downward.

In another example, when the filter cleaner 72 reaches the secondapproach distance while moving downward, the controller 1240 may changea direction of rotation of the gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b such thatthe filter cleaner 72 moves upward.

In this case, the controller 1240 may linearly increase a moving speedof the filter cleaner 72 until the filter cleaner 72 reaches a presetdeviation distance. In addition, the gradient of the moving speed may bea second gradient (slope 2).

The deviation distance may be set in consideration of structure, design,tonality level, etc. of the air conditioner.

Meanwhile, an absolute value of the second gradient (slope 2) may begreater than an absolute value of the first gradient (slope 1). That is,when the filter cleaner 72 reaches the second approach distance, thecontroller 1240 may change a direction of rotation of the gear motor7251 a and 7251 b such that the filter cleaner 72 quickly moves at themaximum speed in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the airconditioner may reduce a filter cleaning time.

In FIG. 36, as described above, when the filter cleaner reaches thepreset first approach distance (t1), the controller 1240 may linearlyreduce a moving speed of the filter cleaner 72 such that the filtercleaner 72 stops at the second approach distance (t2). In this case, thegradient of the moving speed may be a first gradient (slope 1).

In addition, when the filter cleaner 72 reaches the second approachdistance, the controller 1240 (t2), the controller 1240 may linearlyincreases the moving speed of the filter cleaning unit until the filtercleaner 72 reaches the preset deviation distance. In this case, thegradient of the moving speed may be a second gradient (slope 2).

In addition, the filter cleaner 72 may start from a lower portion of theguide rail 711 and may reciprocate at least one time on the moving path.The number of times of reciprocation of the filter cleaner 72 may beautomatically set in correspondence to an amount of foreign substancesstuck in the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d. Alternatively,the number of times of reciprocation of the filter cleaner 72 may bemanually set in accordance with a user's filter cleaning command.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating an airconditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the air conditioner may perform a filtercleaning function automatically or manually in accordance with a user'scommand by sensing an amount of foreign substances stuck in the filtermodule 62 a, 62 b, 62 c, and 62 d.

The controller 1240 may perform control such that an initial position ofthe filter cleaner 72 is located at the lower end of the movementguider. To this end, the controller 1240 may control a rotationaldirection and a speed of the gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b.

The controller 1240 may perform control such that the filter cleaner 72moves upward (S1601). While the filter cleaner 72 moves upward, theagitator 723 a and 723 b may be driven by a separate agitator motor (notshown) in link with the gear motor 7251 a and 7251 b.

While rotating, the agitator 723 a and 723 b may separate foreignsubstances from the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 72 c, and 62 d. Theforeign substances separated from the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62 c,and 62 d may be collected in a foreign substance collection space withinthe housing 721 and 722 or may be collected in a separate foreignsubstances collection container.

The upper distance sensor 1215 a may be disposed at the top end of theguide rail 711. Alternatively, the upper distance sensor 1215 a may bedisposed at a position corresponding to a maximum upward moving path ofthe filter cleaner 72.

The upper distance sensor 1215 a may sense a distance to the top surfaceof the housing 721 and 722 (S1603).

The controller 1240 may calculate an approach distance of the filtercleaner 72 (S1605). In the case where the filter cleaner 72 fails toreach the first approach distance, the controller 1240 may performcontrol such that the filter cleaner 72 moves upward with a moving speedmaintained.

When the filter cleaner 72 reaches the preset first approach distance,the controller 1240 may perform control such that a moving speed of thefilter cleaner 72 decreases (S1607). Specifically, the controller 1240may linearly decreases the moving speed of the cleaner 72. In this case,the gradient of the moving speed may be a first gradient (slope 1).

The controller 1240 may calculate whether the filter cleaner 72 reachesthe second approach distance (S1609).

When the filter cleaner 72 fails to arrive the second approach distance,the controller 1240 may linearly decreases the moving speed of thefilter cleaner 72 to have the first gradient (slope 1).

When the filter cleaner 72 reaches the second approach distance, thecontroller 1250 may perform control such that the filter cleaning unitstops (S1611). In this case, the second approach distance may beinformation on a distance to the filter cleaner 72 sensed by the upperdistance sensor 1215 a when the filter cleaner 72 is brought intocontact with the upper distance sensor 1215 a.

Alternatively, the second approach distance may be information on adistance to the cleaning unit 710 sensed by the upper distance sensor1215 a when the filter cleaner 72 arrives at the highest position up towhich the filter cleaner 72 is allowed to reach along the guide rail711.

At the highest position up to which the filter cleaner 72 is allowed toreach, the controller 1240 may change a direction of rotation of thegear motor 7251 a and 251 b to move the filter cleaner 72 downward(S1613).

In this case, the controller 1240 may linearly increase a moving speedof the filter cleaner 72 until the filter cleaner 72 reaches a presetdeviation distance. In addition, the gradient of the moving speed may bea second gradient (slope 2).

Even in this case, foreign substances stuck in the filter module 62 a,62 b, 62 c, and 62 d may be separated from the agitator 723 a and 723 band collected in a foreign substances collection space in the housing721 and 722 and/or a separate foreign substances collection container.

Meanwhile, for rapid filter cleaning, it is preferable that the presetdeviation distance is smaller than the first approach distance.

The lower distance sensor 1215 b may be disposed at the bottom end ofthe guide rail 711. Alternatively, the lower distance sensor 1215 b maybe disposed at the lowest position up to which the filter cleaner 72 isallowed to reach.

The lower distance sensor 1215 b may sense a distance to the bottomsurface of the housing 721 and 722 (S1615).

The controller 1240 may calculate an approach distance of the filtercleaner 72 (S1617). When the filter cleaner 72 fails to reach the firstapproach distance, the controller 1240 may perform control such that thefilter cleaner 72 moves downward with maintaining a moving speed of whenthe filter cleaner 72 reaches the deviation distance.

When the filter cleaner 72 reaches the preset first approach distance,the controller 1240 may perform control such that the moving speed ofthe filter cleaner 72 decreases (S1619). Specifically, the controller1240 may linearly decreases a moving speed of the filter cleaner 72. Inthis case, the gradient of the moving speed may be a first gradient(slope 1).

The controller 1240 may calculate whether the filter cleaner 72 reachesthe second approach distance (S1621). When the filter cleaner 72 failsto reach the second approach distance, the controller 1240 may linearlydecreases the moving speed of the filter cleaner 72 to have the firstgradient (slope 1).

When the filter cleaner 72 reaches the second approach distance, thecontroller 1240 may perform control such that the filter cleaning unitstops (S1623). In this case, the second approach distance may beinformation on a distance to the filter cleaner 72 sensed by the lowerdistance sensor 1215 b when the filter cleaner 72 is brought intocontact with the lower distance sensor 1215 b.

Alternatively, the second approach distance may be information on adistance to the filter cleaning unit 710 sensed by the lower distancesensor 1215 b when the filter cleaner 72 arrives at the lowest positionup to which the filter cleaner 72 is allowed to reach along the guiderail 711.

The procedure shown in FIG. 37 may be performed at least once in adownward direction of the guide rail 711.

As described above, the air conditioner of the present invention mayperform control to decrease a moving speed of the filter cleaner 72 in apreset distance, thereby reducing noise caused by operation of thefilter cleaner 72.

In addition, the air conditioner may control a speed of the filtercleaner 72 to reduce noise caused by friction between the filter cleaner72 and the guide rail 711 and/or overswing of the filter cleaner 72, andto prevent an error.

In addition, the air conditioner of the present invention may reducenoise caused by operation of the filter cleaner 72, thereby minimizingan unpleasant feeling to a user.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an operation method of an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the air conditioner may automatically ormanually receive a filter cleaning termination signal by sensing anamount of foreign substances stuck in the filter module 62 a, 62 b, 62c, and 62 d (S1701).

When the filter cleaning termination signal is received while the filtercleaner 72 moves upward, the controller 1240 may perform control suchthat the filter cleaner 72 moves downward.

Alternatively, when the filter cleaning termination signal is receivedwhile the filter cleaner 72 moves upward, the controller 1240 mayperform control such that the filter cleaner 72 moves upward by a secondapproach distance and then moves downward (S1703).

The lower distance sensor 1215 b may sense a distance to the bottomsurface of the housing 721 and 722 (S1705).

The controller 1240 may calculate an approach distance of the filtercleaner 72 (S1707). When the filter cleaner 72 fails to reach a firstapproach distance, the controller 1240 may perform control such that thefilter cleaner 72 moves downward with a moving speed maintained.

When the filter cleaner 72 reaches the preset first approach distance,the controller 1240 may perform control such that a moving speed of thefilter cleaner 72 decreases (S1709).

Specifically, the controller 1240 may linearly decrease the moving speedof the filter cleaner 72. In this case, the gradient of the moving speedmay be a first gradient (slope 1).

The controller 1240 may calculate whether the filter cleaner 72 reachesa second approach distance (S1711). When the filter cleaner 72 fails toreach the second approach distance, the controller 1240 may linearlydecreases the moving speed of the filter cleaner 72 to have the firstgradient (slope 1).

When the filter cleaner 72 reaches the second approach distance, thecontroller 1240 may perform control such that the filter cleaning unitstops (S1713).

That is, when terminating a filter cleaning function, the controller1240 may control the filter cleaner 72 to move in a downward directionof the guide rail 711, and, in the meantime, linearly decreasing themoving speed of the filter cleaner 72 so that the filter cleaner 72 ispositioned at the lower end of the guide rail 711.

The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand variousembodiments of the present disclosure and it should be understood thatthe embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanyingdrawings, and the present disclosure should be construed to extend toany alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those whichare particularly set out in the accompanying drawings.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingare advantageous.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearlyunderstood that the same is by way of illustration and example only andis not to be taken in conjunction with the present invention. It will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the subject matterand scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An indoor unit for an air conditioner,comprising: a cabinet assembly forming an external appearance of theindoor unit, the cabinet assembly having an air suction port formed in arear surface thereof; a filter module disposed at the air suction portto filter particles introduced through the air suction port; a filtercleaner that moves upward and downward along a rear of the filter moduleto remove foreign substances caught in the filter module; a guide railvertically disposed on one side of the filter module, the guide rail toguide the upward movement and the downward movement of the filtercleaner, wherein the filter cleaner comprises: a mobile gear to rotatewhile engaged with the guide rail to move the filter cleaner upward anddownward with respect to the filter module, a gear motor to rotate themobile gear, an agitator to rotate due to friction with the filtermodule so that foreign substances are separated from the filter moduleby the friction, a dust container disposed downward of the agitator tocollect foreign substances separated from the filter module due to therotation of the agitator, and a guide roller bringing the filter cleanerinto close contact with the filter module so that part of the agitatorrotates while in contact with the filter module.
 2. The indoor unit ofclaim 1, wherein the filter cleaner further comprises a suction fan toform an airflow so that the foreign substances separated from the filtermodule by the rotation of the agitator flow into the dust container. 3.The indoor unit of claim 1, wherein the guide rail comprises: a gearrail forming a thread to be engaged with the mobile gear; and a rollerrail disposed at the rear of the gear rail and having a rib structure towhich the guide roller is mounted.
 4. The indoor unit of claim 3,wherein the gear rail is formed on both side surfaces of the guide rail,and wherein the mobile gear comprises a first mobile gear and a secondmobile gear that are respectively engaged with the gear rails formed onboth side surfaces of the guide rail.
 5. The indoor unit of claim 3,wherein the roller rail is formed at the rear of the gear rail on bothside surfaces of the guide rail, and wherein the guide roller comprisesat least one pair of guide rollers respectively mounted to the rollerrails formed on both side surfaces of the guide rail.
 6. The indoor unitof claim 1, wherein the guide roller further comprises: an upper guideroller mounted above the mobile gear to move along the guide rail andbring the filter cleaner into close contact with the filter module suchthat the filter cleaner is disposed with at least one portion thereofbrought into contact with the filter module; and a lower guide rollermounted below the upper guide roller to move along the guide rail andbring the filter cleaner into close contact with the filter module suchthat the filter cleaner is disposed with at least one portion thereofbrought into contact with the filter module.
 7. The indoor unit of claim6, wherein the filter cleaner comprises: a base cover disposed to facethe filter module; and an outer cover coupled to a rear of the basecover, wherein a guide rail groove is formed in the base cover in upwardand downward directions and receives the guide rail, and wherein thebase cover and the outer cover together form an external appearance ofthe filter cleaner.
 8. The indoor unit of claim 7, wherein the mobilegear is disposed on an inner surface of the base cover and part of themobile gear protrudes toward the guide rail groove through a mobile gearhole formed on one side of the guide rail groove.
 9. The indoor unit ofclaim 7, wherein each of the upper guide roller and the lower guideroller is disposed in a guide roller groove portion formed on an outersurface of the base cover, and each of the upper guide roller and thelower guide roller is disposed such that a part thereof protrudes towardthe guide rail groove.
 10. The indoor unit of claim 9, wherein the upperguide roller and the lower guide roller are each disposed rearward ofthe mobile gear.
 11. The indoor unit of claim 1, wherein a magneticforce generator that generates a magnetic force to limit upward movementof the filter cleaner is disposed in an upper portion of the guide rail,and wherein the filter cleaner comprises a hall sensor that senses themagnetic force generated by the magnetic force generator.
 12. The indoorunit of claim 1, wherein a lower plate is provided in a lower portion ofthe guide rail to limit downward movement of the filter cleaner, andwherein the filter cleaner comprises a lower detection sensor to sensecontact with the lower plate.
 13. The indoor unit of claim 1, whereinthe filter cleaner comprises: an agitator groove forming a space whereinthe agitator is rotatably disposed; and a communication hole formed onone side of the agitator groove to communicate with the dust container.14. The indoor unit of claim 13, further comprising a duster formed at alower end of the communication hole in a direction of rotation of theagitator, the duster formed in the agitator groove and contacting an endportion of the agitator.
 15. The indoor unit of claim 13, wherein thefilter cleaner further comprises a connection housing connecting theagitator groove to the dust container.
 16. The indoor unit of claim 15,wherein the connection housing guides the dust container and forms aspace to accommodate the dust container.
 17. The indoor unit of claim16, wherein the dust container comprises a magnetic member thatmaintains a state in which the dust container is mounted to the filtercleaner, and wherein a dust container fixing member subject to anattracting force from the magnetic member is disposed in the connectionhousing at an end portion of the space where the dust container thataccommodates the dust container.
 18. The indoor unit of claim 1, whereinthe dust container is inserted into a side surface of the filter cleanerand has a curved shape convex rearward.
 19. The indoor unit of claim 17,wherein the dust container comprises: a dust container body forming aspace to receive the dust; an upper cover disposed above the dustcontainer body and having a dust container suction port formed therein;a lower cover disposed below the dust container body and having adischarge port formed therein; a dust container filter that filters dustcontained in air discharged through the discharge port, the dustcontainer filter disposed within the lower cover; and a dust containerfilter mount to which the dust container filter is mounted, the dustcontainer filter mount accommodated within the lower cover.
 20. Theindoor unit of claim 1, wherein the filter cleaner further comprises aside brush part that is disposed on one side of the agitator and incontact with an end portion of the filter module.